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Darvin Ham can command respect with one wave of his jewel-studded hand.

Ham, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds' top draft pick, isn't shy about wearing his NBA championship ring he won with the Detroit Pistons during the 2003-04 season.

"Hey, I'm not going to put it in some trophy case," he said. "It should be shared with the fans. If someone asks, I'll let them wear it, too."

Don't let the kind gesture fool you. Ham is a 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward who made his NBA reputation through his dunking ability and intense defense. He will be in the starting lineup for the T-Birds in their season-opener tonight against the Idaho Stampede. Game time is 7 p.m. at Tingley Coliseum.

Ham, 34, is expected to do double duty this season as a player-coach.

"He brings a lot to the table," said Thunderbirds head coach Jeff Ruland. "He's got NBA experience, so when he talks the other guys are going to listen."

Ham said his ultimate goal is to return to the NBA. He'd like to play two more seasons. Maybe even win another ring. But he also wants to teach the youngsters on Albuquerque's NBA Development League franchise the path to the big time.

"I've been where they want to go," Ham said. "I've lived the dream they're chasing."

Ham said he sees plenty of talent on the T-Birds' roster, some of whom have NBA potential. That roster includes former Rio Grande standout Serge Angounou and ex-New Mexico State guard Elijah Ingram.

"There's a very thin line between guys here and some of those in the NBA," Ham said. "There were 40 call-ups (to the NBA) last year. I can show them the little things coaches are looking for up there — things like boxing out, rebounding, crashing the boards, setting good screens.

"Unless you're a lights-out shooter, you have to show you can contribute with an all-around game."

To Ham, the ring he wears proudly symbolizes "the blood, sweat and tears it takes to be a champion."

Ham said beating the Lakers, a team made up of NBA stars in Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, remains his shining moment.

"We were a bunch of no-namers taking on four future Hall of Famers," he said. "We had a lot of guys like myself who were overlooked in the draft. We overcame a lot of adversity to become world champs."