Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers and his new assistant Darvin Ham have been two of the most scrutinized NBA coaches in recent memory. Their recent pairing hasn't put Bucks fans at ease, as both men have a penchant for blowing playoff games.
NBA legend Magic Johnson is completely on board with it, though, as he expressed via his X account.
“I’m so happy that my friend and Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers has named former Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham as his new Top Assistant!” Johnson exclaimed.
Many fans in Johnson's replies remained skeptical, though.
“This will certainly work out well,” @franklinisbored tweeted.
“It is so over for the Bucks,” @stephenaismith said.
“In other words, you glad Ham is as far away from the Lakers as possible. lol,” @alanbarcoff tweeted.
Are the fans being harsh, or is Johnson looking at the coaches with rose-colored glasses?
The Bucks could still win it all next year, even with subpar coaching
While Ham was heavily blamed for the Lakers' disappointing finish last year, that doesn't tell his full story. The 50-year-old also won a championship in Milwaukee as Mike Budenholzer's assistant in 2021 and unexpectedly took a seventh-seeded Lakers team to the Conference Finals in 2023.
Additionally, Ham has good relationships with Milwaukee's prominent players, via Forbes' Brian Sampson.
“Ham is known for his strong connections with [Giannis] Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis,” Sampson explained. “His reputation as a player’s coach, capable of fostering a supportive environment while also holding players accountable through open and honest conversations, sets him apart. This unique dynamic will allow Ham to reintegrate into the Bucks' ecosystem seamlessly, minimizing the adjustment period typically associated with such transitions.”
Ham hitting the ground running will be invaluable towards stabilizing the team. Rivers' abrupt arrival in January was not conducive to winning, as it takes continuity and familiarity to win championships. Midseason coaching changes are never ideal, especially when the coach isn't close with most of the players. Ham, on the other hand, has been through the wringer with the team's core.
“This seamless fit likely influenced Rivers’ decision to bring Ham on board, despite them not working together in the past,” Sampson continued. “His familiarity with the core players and his proven track record as a communicator will be crucial as the Bucks aim to maximize their potential and navigate the pressures of the upcoming season.”
Although Rivers and Ham haven't worked together, their decades of experience should help them gain chemistry quickly. Even if they don't, though, Milwaukee still has the talent to overcome coaching issues.
Budenholzer, for example, was fired just two years after the 2021 championship. NBA insiders claimed that the coach had fallen out of favor with Antetokounmpo after the Bucks' unexpected first-round exit in 2023, via Sports Illustrated.
Although the “Greek Freak's” relationship with Rivers might not necessarily be any better, the superstar and his teammates have shown the ability to thrive in that type of situation anyway. Ham's presence can only help in that regard, as long as the mutual respect from their past is still there.
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