Former head coach Darvin Ham nonetheless holds loads of bitterness towards the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ham — now an assistant coach with the Bucks — ripped L.A. earlier than serving to Milwaukee win its first NBA Cup on Tuesday evening.
“To do in addition to I did, I swear to God, wherever else I am in all probability an extension for with what I did,” Ham informed Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “I am not speaking about emotions. I am speaking precise information. They go from not making it to the playoffs to the ultimate 4 within the NBA, the convention finals, And then you definitely win the in-season event, navigate by way of all of the accidents and win each of your play-in video games to get to the playoffs.”
Ham grew to become the Lakers HC in 2022 after they fired Frank Vogel. In two seasons with the staff, he posted a strong 90-74 regular-season file.
Nonetheless, he and small ahead LeBron James struggled to jell all through his tenure. He additionally could not beat the Denver Nuggets within the playoffs. After Denver eradicated L.A. from the postseason for a second straight season in 2024, the staff canned Ham.
Regardless of his shortcomings in opposition to Denver, Ham felt he overachieved when he guided the Lakers to the 2023 Western Convention Finals.
“Folks all the time speak about us dropping to Denver, however they by no means speak about how we bought to Denver,” Ham stated. “We beat a kick-a– younger squad in Memphis, and we beat Golden State.”
JJ Redick changed Ham as Lakers HC in June. So far, he hasn’t fared significantly better. The Lakers (14-12) are tenth within the Western Convention.
Ham appears to have a degree. The Lakers’ floundering means that he wasn’t the primary downside. As an alternative of blaming its coach, L.A. ought to reevaluate whether or not it has constructed a championship-caliber roster.
