The Milwaukee Bucks took on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, marking the primary time assistant coach Darvin Ham confronted his former staff. Ham served because the Lakers’ head coach in every of the final two seasons, however the Lakers fired him on Could 3 after the staff was eradicated within the first spherical of the 2023-24 NBA playoffs.
The Lakers have not at all been horrible underneath Ham – they reached the Western Convention Finals in 2023 and returned to the playoffs the next season – however have fallen in need of expectations of the Lakers as a franchise, in particularly with perennial All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the staff. Ham compiled a 90-74 report with the Lakers, but it surely wasn’t sufficient for the franchise.
Ham has since moved on after the dismissal. He returned to the Bucks as an assistant coach underneath Doc Rivers, returning to the staff he labored for earlier than turning into head coach of the Lakers.
Earlier than Thursday’s sport between the Lakers and Bucks, Harvin mirrored on his tenure with the Lakers.
“The state of the staff from the time they employed me, to the day they fired me, I wish to assume it is improved. And that is all that issues to me “, Ham advised ESPN. “I put my coronary heart and soul into this staff attempting to enhance it from the place it was – 33-49. And to succeed in the Western Convention Finals in a 12 months, the fellows have to learn financially. Have this pleasure I am going subsequent 12 months, I am derailed by accidents, I nonetheless handle to win the season’s match and make the playoffs, I thank God each day.
“Once more, I am fully grateful. I want this franchise the very best. I am not imply or indignant or bitter about something. Some folks have sure opinions and they’re opinions, however in case you actually take a look at the information, there’s not a lot for me personally, I’ve to say.
The Lakers have been in a position to defeat the Bucks in Thursday’s preseason sport, incomes a 107-102 victory over Milwaukee. Thanks largely to the Lakers’ fourth-quarter comeback, the Bucks misplaced their second straight preseason sport.
The Bucks and Lakers will face off twice throughout the 2024-25 NBA common season, taking part in two video games in March, March 13 and 18.
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