Darvin Ham ‘completely grateful’ for time with Lakers: ‘I wish that franchise nothing but the best’

In his first public comments since being fired by the Lakers, Darvin Ham had nothing but positive words to say of his time in Los Angeles.

The Lakers’ trip to Milwaukee offered a first chance for the team to reunite with Darvin Ham after his firing this offseason. After parting ways with the Lakers, Ham landed on his feet, returning to the Bucks to join Doc Rivers’ staff.

On Thursday, Ham spoke to Dave McMenamin of ESPN for his first public comments since being fired and had nothing but kind things to say about his time in Los Angeles.

“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 heard 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.

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

On paper, Ham’s accomplishments stick out. He helped turn the Lakers around and get them back to the Western Conference Finals.

Hell, he’s responsible for a banner hanging in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena! And yes, I am joking.

We don’t have to relitigate everything that went awry in his tenure and it certainly was a warranted decision this summer considering how much he had clearly lost the locker room. The Lakers spent a good chunk of Media Day and the preseason throwing some shade Ham’s way, intentional or not.

His tenure wasn’t great and likely won’t be remembered all that fondly, but he did bring some highlights to the franchise. There shouldn’t be many hard feelings his way. The Lakers moved on and Ham clearly has, too.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.