Just won the NBA Cup with the Bucks, Darwin Ham opened the memory box. Or rather the one with bad memories. In an interview given to Andscape, the former Lakers technician, now assistant to Doc Rivers in Milwaukee, returned to his departure from Los Angeles after an elimination in the first round of the last playoffs. This anticipated end of the journey, which he finds downright “crazy”, sticks in his throat.
« Doing what I did, I swear to God, anywhere else I’d probably be asking for an extension » he proclaimed. “ These are not feelings, just facts. The Lakers had missed the playoffs and advanced to the last four of the NBA, the conference finals. Then we win the In-Season Tournament, we deal with all the injuries, and we win the two play-in matches to go to the playoffs. »
Weighed down by his series against the Nuggets
Darvin Ham highlights his record, and places it in perspective with the situation of the Lakers before his arrival, following a missed season and concluded without qualifying for the final stages. A season which cost Frank Vogel his place, two years after winning the 17th title in the history of the franchise.
In addition to the less and less veiled criticism of Anthony Davis on his tactical choices, the coach had notably paid dearly for the missed opportunities by his team against the Nuggets in the first round, while the Lakers often led during matches against the champion outgoing. Los Angeles had wasted several significant advances, falling among others on two winning shots in the final moments signed Jamal Murray.
« People always talk about us getting eliminated against Denver, but they never talk about how we got there against Denver » estimated Darwin Ham. « We beat a young Memphis team at home and we beat Golden State. I’m not a shit-digger, and I’m not going to start being one at 51. But you feel it when you’ve done enough to stay in your job. I felt like I had done it. »
He turned down the Suns before joining the Bucks
The former player advances “ unrealistic expectations at times » when you’re on the Lakers bench. The always special context and the excitement around the Californian franchise had fueled criticism about it, particularly online. “ That was what was most disappointing, the meanness of what people said. »
Darvin Ham had come to the conclusion that he had to take a year off after his two intense seasons. He also claims to have refused a proposal from Mike Budenholzer, who wanted to make him his right-hand man during his appointment in Phoenix. “ The timing was not right » explains the person concerned.
He also refused Doc Rivers’ proposal when he was named to the Bucks along the way. But the Milwaukee technician was able to be persuasive during a dinner.
« I really thought he had to stay active in this game, that it was very important to him » assured Doc Rivers. To the great dismay of Darvin Ham’s wife as she explained to the American media…
