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Asked if the game played a role in the signing, Thanasis admitted that it did: “For sure. They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role. The important thing is that everyone who returns (after such an injury) with a team, or in a tournament like this, has to prove themselves again. That’s basketball. Whatever you have done so far counts; it’s your resume, but you have to prove it every day. That’s professional sports”.
Tas Melas: NBA front office executives or coaches I’ve seen at #EuroBasket: Bucks: Jon Horst, Doc Rivers, Darvin Ham. Lakers: Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, Kurt Rambis. Trail Blazers: Chauncey Billups. Kings: BJ Armstrong, Doug Christie. Nuggets: Josh Kroenke.
Ham highlighted how Giannis emphasizes teamwork in the international setting. "He's trying to involve his teammates and allow his teammates to help him help them. It's more team oriented, more sets and all of that here is different. They don't play as fast as we do in the NBA, but in NBA, his usage rate is off the charts. He constantly has the ball in his hands, so a little bit different role for him over there."
Giannis Antetokounmpo powers Greece over Italy
Giannis Antetokounmpo took over for Greece on the way to a 75-66 victory versus Italy in the opener for both countries in EuroBasket 2025. Logging just over 29 minutes, the 30-year-old superstar finished with 31 points. He made 14/20 two-pointers and 3/4 free throws, alongside seven rebounds, two steals, and one assist. In addition to the Freak, the Milwaukee Bucks were represented in Spyros Kyprianou Arena by general manager Jon Horst, head coach Doc Rivers, and assistants Vin Baker and Darvin Ham.
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Bucks deny Knicks' request to interview Darvin Ham
Darvin Ham was also scratched off the list for Mike Brown’s top assistant. The Milwaukee Bucks denied the Knicks’ request to interview Ham for the associate head coach position, The Post has learned. Ham joins James Borrego of the Pelicans and Jay Triano of the Mavericks as candidates under contract who weren’t granted permission to interview with the Knicks.
Phoenix and now New York — after the hiring of Mike Brown as the Knicks' new head coach — have expressed interest in trying to hire Darvin Ham away from the Bucks, The Stein Line has learned. Yet those would be considered lateral moves for Ham, who is Milwaukee's top assistant to Doc Rivers. I'm told the Bucks love having Ham back in their midst after his two-season stint as the Lakers' head coach and are determined to keep him in Brewtown unless he secures another head coaching opportunity elsewhere.
There were rumors that Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers would assume a role in the front office and leave coaching to either former assistant Sam Cassell, now with the Celtics, or ex-Lakers coach Darvin Ham. But Rivers indicated he intends to return as coach as the Bucks are prepared to keep superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and attempt to rebuild around him.
Ott was a Los Angeles Lakers assistant under Ham for two seasons (2022-24). The Lakers reached the 2023 Western Conference finals in Ham’s first season with Ott as his assistant after winning just 33 games the previous season. “Him riding shotgun with me and sort of my special teams coach, helping me with special situations, helping me with overall offensive and defensive concepts that we were trying to implement,” Ham said about Ott. “We didn’t win a championship, but we had a great amount of success in that situation. There’s no one more deserving, man. He’s a humble kid, tough, smart.”
“He has a great feel, which is an intangible I think that is just as valuable,” Ham said about Ott. “You’ve got to know your Xs and Os, you’ve got to be well equipped with player development, programs and understanding both sides of the ball, but I just think the feel for people nowadays with so much going on. The world is moving so fast between social media and the everchanging landscape of our league from playing styles to playing trends, he's abreast to all of that. He stays on top of all of that.”
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“You can talk about winning and getting to the playoffs and championships, but OK, how does that look in September, October, whatever is left of the summer?” Ham said. “(The Suns) had a long summer. So guys should be in the gym being efficient with their workouts, but (Ott) understands how to weave that fabric all together and get the results they’re looking for. I doubt if you’ll ever hear him talking about championships. Not saying that’s not what he wants to do because he’s well aware that’s the end goal, but you’ll hear him talking about how we can get better every day and maximize everything they got.”
"Doc had to go to the locker room feeling ill, and Darvin Ham took over. How did Darvin get you guys refocused?" Giannis: "That's what they told you? I thought Coach had to use the restroom. [laughs] That’s what they said—Coach had to use the restroom. That’s why we did that on the bench. I’m joking. But yeah, I’ve been with Coach for four or five years. I know his playbook, how he operates. It’s home for me. Maybe different for other guys, but we’ve got a great coaching staff. If Coach Doc or Darvin goes down, the next guy can step up—Coach Dave, Coach Pry, even Coach V. And congrats to Coach Doc—he just passed Phil Jackson in all-time wins. We’ve got to do a video tribute when we get back home. Hope he feels better—we’ll need him."
Eric Nehm: Bucks coach Doc Rivers is not feeling well, per Bucks PR, and he has gone back to the locker room. Darvin Ham taking over for the time being.
Jim Owczarski: Darvin Ham subbed in for Doc Rivers' pregame media requirement - he said the #Bucks head coach is fine, but was running late - Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent will play. Ham considers Damian Lillard day-to-day with the calf issue. #NBASky
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