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The Los Angeles Lakers officially announced the hiring of Darvin Ham as their new head coach on Friday, signing him to a multi-year contract.
The news comes a week after ESPN first broke the news, saying Ham and the Lakers had agreed to a four-year deal.
Assistant coach Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks before Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics on May 15, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston.
(David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka announced the hire, saying fans will appreciate Ham’s “no frills” approach.
“When someone starts their NBA coaching career at the G League level and plays a vital role on the front bench of an NBA championship team, that really speaks to a certain strength of character.
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“Our players and fans will immediately identify with Darvin’s pragmatic and hard-working approach, which we believe will bring tenacity and a competitive edge to everything we do,” said Pelinka, according to the Lakers team website.
Assistant coach Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks greets Al Horford (42) of the Boston Celtics after Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 15, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston.
(David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Following last week’s report by ESPN, the Lakers star LeBron James gave his stamp of approval, congratulating Ham on social media.
“So EXCITED!!!!!!!!” James posted on Twitter on Friday. “Congratulations and welcome Coach DHam!!”
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For the past four seasons, Ham served as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks under head coach Mike Budenholzer, winning the NBA championship in 2021.
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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said Ham will bring a certain level of toughness to the organization.
Acting head coach Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on January 8, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina
(Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“I think he’s going to bring a toughness, a blue-collar mentality, just because that’s how he’s built. That’s how he was raised. You’ve got to be like that since Saginaw “, Green told the Los Angeles Times.
“I think it’s going to be a different toughness that they haven’t seen. And he’s going to command and demand a different level of respect that they haven’t really had. … And I think that bodes well for this team. . “
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The Lakers are coming off a disastrous season, finishing the year with a 33-49 record and missing the playoffs. The signing of Russell Westbrook last offseason led many to believe the Lakers could compete for an NBA championship. But the Lakers’ inability to find chemistry, coupled with injuries to Anthony Davis and James, doomed their season.