Darvin Ham breaks silence on Lakers firing despite in-season tournament win and playoff success: “Some people have certain opinions”

Los Angeles Lakers former coach Darvin Ham has opened up on his firing by the franchise after the last season. The Lakers appointed JJ Redick as their new head coach after releasing Ham. On the other hand, Ham has joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach.

Ham had a successful stint with the Lakers, taking the team to the Western Conference finals and also to In-season tournament glory and thus the franchise’s decision to let him go was a surprising one. Ham said he gave his all to the Lakers and the team improved under his tutelage, which matters a lot to him.

“The state of the team when they hired me, up until the day they fired me, I like to think it improved. And that’s all I care about,” Ham told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Thursday.

“I poured myself, my heart and soul, into that team trying to improve it from where it was – 33-49.”

Out of 164 regular season matches, the Lakers won 90 games under Ham. The former coach shed light on the positives with the team during his stint.

“To get to the Western Conference finals in one year, have guys benefit from it financially,” Ham continued. “To have that excitement going into that next year, get derailed by injuries, still manage to win the in-season tournament and get to the playoffs, I thank God every day.”

“Some people have certain opinions and those are opinions, but if you really look at the facts, there’s not much for me personally I have to say. So, that’s it.”

Ham added he holds no hard feelings for the Lakers despite his dismissal.

“Again, I’m completely grateful. I wish that franchise nothing but the best,” Ham said. “I’m not mean or angry or bitter about anything.

The Lakers will begin their NBA 2024-25 campaign against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 22nd October at the Crypto.com arena.