Through a press conference at the facilities in the UCLA Health Training CenterLos Angeles Lakers made the formal presentation of Darvin Ham as his new head coach, the 28th in the history of one of the most iconic franchises in the NBA.
Accompanied by Rob Pelinkavice president of operations and general manager of the club, as well as with the presence of some team players, including Russell WestbrookHam shared some of the ideas with which he plans to help the Lakers get back on the winning path, in what will be his first job as head coach, after being an assistant for 10 years.
“Defensively is where they are going to see our biggest jump. We have to commit to the defensive side of the ball, or we have no chance, the offense is not going to matter if we can’t make defensive stops.Ham said.
Before making the move to the Lakers, Ham had an 8-year career in the league, playing for the milwaukee bucksAtlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets, in addition to having won the championship title in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons.
your first chance
Once retired, he went to the bench as an assistant, precisely in the Lakers, to later become part of the assistant coaching staff of Mike Budenholzer, whom he followed in the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018, and the Milwaukee Bucks from 2018 to 2022, winning the ring in 2021, until he received his first opportunity recently with the Angelenos.
“The fact that I started as a coach here, this place will always be special to me. It’s like a homecoming for me, with all seriousnessHam said.
Darvin Ham also had words of appreciation for Russell Westbrook, from whom he said great things can still be expected, as well as revealing that he hopes to be one of the defensive pillars.
“Don’t screw it up, Russell Westbrook is one of the best players our league has ever seen and there’s still plenty left in the tank. I don’t know why people tend to try to write it offHam said.
Thus begins a new era, in which Ham replaces Frank Vogelwho was in the team for 3 seasons, leaving a record of 33 wins and 49 losses last season, without even reaching the play in, being out of the playoffs.
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With Lebron James, Anthony Davisand Westbrook as its main stars, Darvin Ham and the team of assistants that he manages to put together, will have the task of returning the 17-time NBA champions to the top.
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