The NBA Countdown crew reacts to the Lakers hiring Darvin Ham as their new head coach. (1:25)
The Los Angeles Lakers secured their new head coach with the hire of Darvin Ham, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Prior to joining the Lakers, he served as an assistant for the defending NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. He has worked under Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer since 2013, when the pair were with the Atlanta Hawks.
This isn’t Ham’s first time working for Los Angeles. He was an assistant with the Lakers from 2011-2013. He takes over a squad that fell short of expectations last season, as Los Angeles finished 33-49 and missed the postseason. He replaces Frank Vogel, who was fired by the team in April.
Lakers superstar LeBron James was among the first players to welcome his new coach to the team.
So damn EXCITED!!!!!!!! Congrats and welcome Coach DHam!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #LakeShow💜💛
Trae Young, who has history with Ham from his time in Atlanta, also congratulated him on the role.
The first-time head coach played eight NBA seasons for six teams and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
During Ham’s stint in Detroit he played four games against James, who was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson expressed his excitement for the new addition.
Some of Ham’s former players like Bobby Portis and Thon Maker were among those to weigh in on Twitter.
Coach Ham congrats OG 🤞🏿💯 https://t.co/5f9jfBOAKc
I’m very happy for my guy DHam!!
Huge congrats on the Lakers spot✊🏿💯
Congrats to Darvin Ham… He waited his turn and did everything the right way!!! Great hire for Laker Nation…💯💯💯
Yessir!!!!!!! https://t.co/bifSHot66j
Long time coming!!!!!! https://t.co/5luIPvkBxG
D.ham congrats !🎊
Great hire, D Ham is a great coach and person. Michigan’s finest! Congrats D Ham. https://t.co/P2Ttq8S4l7
