The Milwaukee Bucks were crowned NBA Cup champions on Wednesday night, but they opted for a more subdued celebration following their 97–81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Unlike the typical champagne showers, the team chose to keep their celebrations dry and focused on the remainder of the regular season. Head coach Doc Rivers explained that the decision was made based on advice from assistant coach Darvin Ham, who won the NBA Cup with the Los Angeles Lakers last year.
Amid the Bucks’ success, one unsung hero has emerged as a key figure: Milwaukee assistant coach Darvin Ham. Fans are recognizing his excellence in the NBA Cup, which is now known as the NBA In-Season Tournament in its inaugural year. Ham, who was the head coach of the undefeated Los Angeles Lakers team that won the In-Season Tournament last season, has now helped the Bucks achieve the same feat. With both teams going undefeated in the tournament, Ham’s impact is undeniable, sparking a wave of jokes and admiration from fans.
The NBA had provided the winning team with coolers of champagne and Michelob Ultra, along with safety goggles for the expected champagne dousing. However, the Bucks decided to skip the traditional celebration.
Rivers shared that after consulting with Ham and considering his experience with the Lakers, they felt it was best to avoid a champagne celebration. Instead, the team wanted to remain focused on their goals for the rest of the season.
Currently, the Bucks are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 14-11 record and are determined to continue climbing the standings after their success in the in-season tournament. In contrast, Ham’s Lakers celebrated their NBA Cup victory with a champagne party but finished the season eighth in the Western Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
While the NBA Cup is a significant achievement, it’s clear that for both players and coaches, the ultimate goal remains winning the NBA Finals.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Bucks Decline Champagne After NBA Cup Win on Assistant Coach Darvin Ham’s Advice.