Knowing one's worth or overconfidence?
Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham has a four-word line to describe what it is like getting passed on by teams before he landed in Hollywood, according to NBA writer Marc Stein.
"They f-ked up royally."
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Stein shared the conversation in his show, "Tuesdays with Steiny."
"I listed the teams that, according to my unofficial count, had interviewed Ham without offering him their head coaching job," he wrote, recalling the interview with the Lakers coach.
"All nine of them."
"My list featured the Celtics, Hornets, Bulls, Pacers, Timberwolves, Magic, Kings, Wizards and Clippers."
Ham's record and future with the Lakers
The former Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach has the numbers to back up his claim. He inherited a Lakers team that was far from playoff contention, but he was able to steer them into a 43-39 record and as legit title contenders by the end of the eliminations.
The Lakers went on to beat the #2 seed in the first round and eliminate the defending champions, Golden State Warriors, in the semifinals before bowing out against eventual champs Denver Nuggets.
His confidence does not stop in his coaching ability. Ham feels confident, too, that they are in it for the title this time after retooling the team.
"Hell yeah, without question. That's what we're in it for," Ham told The Sporting Tribune when asked if his roster can compete for the championship."
"We're about winning around here and winning big. It's not just about, 'Hey we made the playoffs.' We're trying to get to that pinnacle and conquer it."
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