After being let go by the Los Angeles Lakers a few months ago, Darvin Ham is now back on the scene as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Among those who have shared their thoughts on this move is no other than NBA legend Magic Johnson.

In 2022, Ham took the helm as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after the team decided not to renew Frank Vogel’s contract. Vogel had previously led a LeBron James-led team to the championship in 2020.

Milwaukee Bucks, Darvin HamApr 3, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham stands on the bench against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Ham’s inaugural season as head coach saw the Lakers finish the regular season with a record of 43 wins and 39 losses. Despite going through the Play-In Tournament, the team made a deep playoff run, reaching the Western Conference Finals where they faced the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by the by the Nikola Jokic-led team, who eventually went on to win the NBA Finals.

This season, the Lakers once again found themselves in the Play-In Tournament, only to meet the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. After a five-game series, the Lakers were eliminated, with a lack of trust in Ham cited as one of the factors contributing to their disappointing performance. As a result, he was relieved of his coaching duties, and the team is now searching for his replacement while James contemplates his player option for the upcoming year.

Magic Johnson Drops Honest Take on Milwaukee Bucks Hiring Darvin Ham as Assistant Coach

Milwaukee Bucks, Darvin HamApr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham gives direction against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
During the offseason, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers purged the team’s coaching staff to make way for his own preferences. Among those who have been hired is Ham, prompting Lakers legend Magic Johnson to react to this development.

“I’m so happy that my friend and Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers has named former Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham as his new Top Assistant!” Johnson tweeted.

Before he took on the top job in Los Angeles, Ham spent four seasons as an assistant coach for Milwaukee from 2018 to 2022. Now, he’ll be back in a familiar setting helping Rivers coach two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.
Milwaukee Bucks, Darvin HamApr 27, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham during the first quarter in game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Rivers and Ham have a full offseason of preparing the team for the upcoming campaign. Hopefully, the latter will bring all the lessons he learned in LA to help the Bucks contend next season.
Milwaukee Bucks, Darvin HamApr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

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