The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the finals of the NBA Cup to lift their first in-season tournament trophy. Heading into the tournament as underdogs, many were surprised to see the Bucks demolish the number-one seed in the Western Conference. The head coach, Doc Rivers, credited assistant coach Darvin Ham, who remains undefeated in the NBA Cup so far.
With a perfect record of 14-0, Darvin Ham has proven his value as a member of the coaching staff. Last year, he won the inaugural in-season tournament as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. This year, he secured his second title as the assistant coach of the Bucks. The Bucks defeated the OKC 97-81 to lift the trophy.
Winning himself a cool million dollars in just two years, he has become the first two-time NBA Cup champion. Bucks forward Taurean Prince also holds the unique distinction as he played for the Lakers last season. Acknowledging their secret weapon, Doc Rivers praised Ham and Prince in the post-game presser.
By the way, we brought our secret weapon. Darvin Ham is now an undefeated coach in two years in this cup. When I said it, TP [Taurean Prince] was like, ‘What about me?’ and he’s an undefeated player, so that’s pretty cool for them.
Doc Rivers via post-game presser
Back2Back 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3CJNs6lK0J
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 18, 2024
Senior NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that despite winning the NBA Cup, the team refrained from celebrating with champagne. This was because Darvin Ham instructed as such. Doc Rivers told the insider they wanted to get back to the grind and focus on the remainder of the season. The Bucks chose not to drink to their achievements due to Ham’s experience with the Lakers last season.
What Darvin Ham Learned from His Lakers Experience
When Ham was hired in 2022, the Los Angeles Lakers were a team struggling to find its rhythm. Coming off a disappointing 33-49 season, drastic adjustments needed to be made. Darvin Ham‘s leadership as the head coach of the Lakers, brought immediate improvements.
The team was able to make the playoffs and had a notable run to the Western Conference finals. On top of that, under Ham’s coaching, the Lakers won the first ever NBA Cup. However, the team fired him after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs. Recently, the coach reflected on his time with the Lakers after being fired.
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, I poured myself, my heart and soul, into that team trying to improve it from where it was 33-49. And to get to the Western Conference finals in one year, have guys benefit from it financially. 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.
Darvin Ham said to ESPN
Bucks coach Doc Rivers told me after talking with Darvin Ham and his experience with Lakers last season, they chose not to celebrate The Cup championship with dousing and drinking of champagne. Want to focus on the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/CQ0J0aoeWz
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 18, 2024
However, it wasn’t all sunshine as Ham also learned that one can’t douse themselves in champagne after winning the in-season tournament halfway through the season. It distracts the team from the bigger picture and makes them believe the hard work is over. That’s exactly the same reason why he wouldn’t let the Bucks indulge in excessive celebration after winning the NBA Cup.
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