The Milwaukee Bucks claimed the title in the NBA Cup on Tuesday, overpowering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 97-81. This victory allowed the Bucks to secure the second-ever in-season tournament championship in league history. The triumph is a noteworthy accomplishment for Darvin Ham, the team’s top assistant coach, who has now achieved consecutive NBA Cup titles with different teams.
In the previous year, Ham guided the Los Angeles Lakers to success in the In-Season Tournament as their head coach. However, his time in Los Angeles ended unexpectedly when the franchise dismissed him due to the team’s struggles throughout the regular season and playoffs.
Back2Back 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3CJNs6lK0J
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 18, 2024
This season, Ham has joined the Bucks’ coaching staff as an assistant, continuing to showcase his excellence in tournament play. With this latest win, he boasts an impressive 14-0 record in NBA Cup games.
Ham’s successful season with Milwaukee has reignited conversations surrounding his coaching abilities. Fans are celebrating Ham’s unmatched success in the NBA Cup, with some labeling him as a tournament legend and others even asserting he is the GOAT of the Cup.
Ham the NBACup legend
— Vinny (Dream chaser)⚡️⚡️ (@Vinnytct) December 18, 2024
Goat
— 17TooTuff (@17TooTuff) December 18, 2024
you’ve never seen an assistant coach like Darvin Ham 😏
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) December 18, 2024
We need to give that man his flowers. This is the Darvin Ham Cup 😤
— Zach “🅂🄲🄷🅄🅉” Schumaker (@_SchuZ_) December 18, 2024
Real goat 🐐
— Monkey D. Crypto🏴☠️ (@MonkeyDCrypto_) December 18, 2024
Doc Rivers Lauds Darvin Ham and Taurean Prince’s Undefeated NBA Cup Streak
Following the Bucks’ NBA Cup victory on Tuesday night, head coach Doc Rivers took a moment to commend the impressive accomplishments of assistant coach Darvin Ham and forward Taurean Prince in the tournament. Ham and Prince, both of whom arrived in Milwaukee after their tenures with the Lakers, remain undefeated in NBA Cup competition.
“When I mentioned that about Ham, Prince was quick to ask, ‘What about me?’ and he’s an undefeated player, so that’s pretty great for them. You know where that will help us is on the back end because it’s tough. You come right out of this, and you have to get back to the grind,” Rivers commented.
While their tenure with the Lakers concluded disappointingly, their current success with the Bucks represents a remarkable turnaround. Together, Ham and Prince have instilled a winning mindset in Milwaukee, driving the team’s excellent performance in the tournament.
Image Source: Darvin Ham @ Instagram
