Darvin Ham Returns to Milwaukee Bucks as Assistant Coach
The Milwaukee Bucks have made an exciting addition to their coaching staff, confirming that Darvin Ham will be joining as an assistant coach under Doc Rivers. This marks a return for Ham to Milwaukee, where he previously served as an assistant coach from 2018 to 2022. During his previous tenure with the Bucks, the team achieved great success, winning the NBA championship in 2021, which was the franchise’s second title.
The news of Ham’s return to Milwaukee was first reported by ESPN, highlighting the significance of this coaching appointment. Ham, who is 50 years old, recently completed a two-season stint as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he was let go by the Lakers on May 3 after their disappointing early exit from the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
Rumors surrounding Ham’s potential firing had been circulating for some time, gaining momentum as the Lakers struggled throughout the season. Ultimately, their playoff series against the Nuggets proved to be a breaking point, with the Lakers only managing to win one game and blowing a 20-point second-half lead in Game 2. These performances reflected the team’s overall struggles under Ham’s leadership.
During his two-year tenure with the Lakers, Ham’s record stood at 90-74 in the regular season and a less impressive 9-12 in the postseason. While this may not have met expectations for a team with championship aspirations, it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by the Lakers, including injuries to key players.
Before his time with the Lakers, Ham served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018. This experience, combined with his NBA playing career from 1996 to 2005, provides him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the Bucks’ coaching staff.
The Bucks themselves had a solid season, finishing with a record of 49-33. However, their playoff run came to an early end as they were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in six games during the first round. The absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team’s star player and two-time NBA MVP, due to a calf injury certainly impacted their performance in the playoffs.
Ham’s return to Milwaukee brings an experienced and championship-winning coach to the Bucks’ coaching staff. His familiarity with the team and their recent success could prove invaluable as they strive to make another deep playoff run in the upcoming season. With Doc Rivers leading the way and now Darvin Ham joining the ranks, the Bucks are shaping up to be a formidable force in the NBA.