Darvin Ham, now serving as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, recently shared candid reflections on his two-year stint as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Ham expressed pride in his accomplishments but admitted frustration over the way his tenure ended.
“To do as well as I did, I swear to God, anywhere else I’m probably looking at an extension with what I did,” Ham said. He highlighted the team’s turnaround under his leadership, from missing the playoffs in 2022 to reaching the Western Conference Finals in his first season and winning the NBA In-Season Tournament the following year.
Ham took over the Lakers in June 2022, inheriting a roster that had finished 33-49. Despite a rocky start to the 2022-23 season with a 2-10 record, the Lakers secured the 7-seed in the playoffs and advanced to the conference finals, where they fell to the Denver Nuggets.
The following season, the Lakers improved to 43-39 and captured the inaugural NBA Cup but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Denver.
The former head coach pointed to the team’s challenges during his tenure, including injuries, an aging roster, and constant scrutiny.
“It’s being reported like I’m just throwing some lineups up against the wall to see what sticks,” Ham said. “No man, we were really navigating a lot—guys being hurt, having the oldest player in the league [LeBron James], and navigating A.D.’s injury history. It was a lot.”
Ham also addressed criticism of his coaching style, particularly accusations that he lacked expertise in X’s and O’s. “Some of the stuff that was coming out? Wow, bro, I don’t know X’s and O’s? I was winging it. Dude, that was the most disappointing stuff,” Ham said. “The best thing I could do was block out the outside noise.”
Despite his dismissal in May 2024, Ham remains proud of his contributions to the franchise. He noted the team’s progress during his tenure, from developing a stronger core to helping players secure lucrative contracts. “You feel like you did enough to sustain in one spot. I felt like I did that,” he stated.
Ham’s return to Milwaukee, where he previously served as an assistant coach, has already brought success. Under Doc Rivers, Ham has helped guide the Bucks to a 14-0 record in NBA Cup games, winning the title again this season.
For Ham, his time with the Lakers remains a testament to his resilience and ability to navigate challenges. “I get it. The franchise I’m working for, the expectations can be unrealistic at certain points in time,” he acknowledged.
