![\"Darvin](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/DarvinHam.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780\")
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Darvin Ham might be working for the Milwaukee Bucks now, but there\u2019s no doubt that\u00a0his feelings toward the Lakers\u00a0aren\u2019t yet all warm and fuzzy.<\/p>\n
Even after landing back on the bench alongside Doc Rivers in Milwaukee, Ham\u2019s recent actions and words suggest he still hasn\u2019t forgotten how things ended in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks\u2019 118-89 win over the Lakers, Doc Rivers said the quiet part out loud. Asked by reporters if Ham viewed the contest as a revenge game,\u00a0Rivers responded, \u201c(Darvin) wants to kick the Lakers\u2019 ass.\u201d While Rivers was joking, it\u2019s not hard to imagine Ham making that statement.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not every day an assistant coach\u2019s motivation becomes a storyline, but when it involves a coach returning to face the team that fired him? Fans take notice. Especially when one of those teams is the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n
Ham\u2019s time in Los Angeles was, by most measures, solid. He guided the Lakers to a 90-74 regular season record and even took them to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.<\/p>\n
He also won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023. Yet despite the results and his ability to manage a high-pressure roster headlined by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Ham was shown the door after just two seasons.<\/p>\n
At the time,\u00a0Ham said he was \u201cdisappointed\u201d in the Lakers\u2019 decision.<\/p>\n
The quick trigger left many puzzled. In a city like LA, expectations are always high, but many felt Ham deserved more time. Though\u00a0Cem Yolbulan of LA Sports Hub\u00a0believes that the Lakers are thriving without Ham on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lakers are currently 11th in the league in defensive rating,\u201d he writes. \u201cA number higher than both Ham\u2019s seasons with the team. Plus, they are doing this without Anthony Davis or an elite defensive anchor for a significant portion of the season.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n For Ham, it\u2019s not just about strategy\u2014it\u2019s about pride. He\u2019s not just trying to help the Bucks win; he\u2019s trying to send a message to the team that let him go.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not talking about feelings. I\u2019m talking actual facts,\u201d Ham said. \u201cThey go from not making it to the playoffs to the final four in the NBA, the conference finals. And then you win the in-season tournament, navigate through all the injuries and win both of your play-in games to get to the playoffs.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Competitive fire is part of what made Ham an NBA coach in the first place. But there\u2019s a difference between staying competitive and taking things personally. In Ham\u2019s case, the line seems blurred.<\/p>\n Coaches often say it\u2019s \u201cjust business,\u201d but behind closed doors, these firings sting. Especially, after taking a team deep into the playoffs, only to have that success seemingly overlooked.<\/p>\n Ham has brought renewed energy to Milwaukee\u2014a sign that perhaps he\u2019s channeling any lingering bitterness into his new role.<\/p>\n The NBA thrives on rivalries and personal storylines, and Darvin Ham\u2019s situation is another great example. Every time the Bucks and Lakers face off, eyes will watch Ham just as much as the players.<\/p>\n While he may not publicly admit he\u2019s still bitter, his actions\u2014and Rivers\u2019 comments\u2014speak volumes. Whether it\u2019s about proving himself or the Lakers wrong, Darvin Ham isn\u2019t done yet.<\/p>\n Darvin Ham might be working for the Milwaukee Bucks now, but there\u2019s no doubt that\u00a0his feelings toward the Lakers\u00a0aren\u2019t yet all warm and fuzzy. Even after landing… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":45586,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\nCircling the Date<\/h2>\n
A Competitive Edge That Lingers<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"