Darvin Ham Set to Coach Lakers, Replacing Frank Vogel

Experienced Darvin Ham will bring evident improvements and defensive approach to the team
The Lakers have hired Darvin Ham who is actually a Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach. The Lakers were conducting interviews and shortlisted three candidates Darvin Ham, Terry Stotts, and Kenny Atkinson. Finally, Darvin Ham appeared to be the most experienced and well-deserved candidate. Darvin Ham surpassed other candidates and is all set to receive a four-year control to lead the franchise as a head coach. ​
Darvin’s career highlights
He won a title with the Pistons in 2004 and competed in the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, but he’s established his mark as an interim coach since then. Ham’s maiden NBA coach offer came with the Lakers within a few years in the G League.
In 2013, he resigned from the Lakers to pursue Mike Budenholzer’s crew in Atlanta, where he has remained since then. For the previous few years, Ham has been Budenholzer’s primary assistant, and the two won a championship with each other in 2021. Coaches from the Budenholzer family have had a great deal of success in their own careers so far.
Now, for the very first time in his history, Ham will be a head coach
Despite starting the season as Western Conference favorites, the Lakers finished with a 33-49 result, just missing the playoffs. Their purchase for Russell Westbrook was a fiasco, and head coach Frank Vogel was ousted moments just after the season’s final whistle.
As a number of experienced players suffered injuries in the past two years, it will be harder than ever for the Roster to reach the playoffs.
After being defeated in the first round of the playoffs last year against the ultimate Suns, the Lakers had another poor season this time. The Lakers believe Ham is capable of handling the job much better than anyone else. His maiden head-coaching position will be one of the most difficult for him, but keep in mind that the last time a team appointed a first-time head coach, they won a title. Ham is coaching in the same venue. The Lakers are now aiming for a similar outcome from Ham as well.