The Milwaukee Bucks have chosen to part ways with coach Adrian Griffin after only 43 games, despite the team holding one of the top records in the NBA.
The Milwaukee Bucks have dismissed Adrian Griffin as their coach after just 43 games, despite the team holding a strong record midway through his debut season.
The decision to part ways with Coach Adrian Griffin mid-season was a challenging one, according to Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. In an official statement, Horst mentioned the team’s immediate efforts to hire the next head coach and expressed gratitude to Coach Griffin for his hard work and contributions to the team.
Joe Prunty, formerly an assistant coach under Adrian Griffin, has been named the interim head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. General Manager Jon Horst is scheduled to address the media in a news conference on Wednesday before the team’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As of Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks hold a record of 30 wins and 13 losses, putting them in a tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second-best record in the league. In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks are 3 1/2 games behind the leading Boston Celtics.
The Milwaukee Bucks are causing worries as their defensive performance takes a hit, even after signing Damian Lillard to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Currently, they rank 22nd in the NBA’s defensive rating, a drop from their fourth-place position last year. Despite having top defenders like Giannis, the 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and Brook Lopez, who finished second in last season’s voting, the team is grappling with defensive challenges.
In the summer, the Milwaukee Bucks appointed Adrian Griffin as their head coach, marking his debut in the role. This decision followed the departure of Mike Budenholzer, who guided the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years in 2021. Under Budenholzer’s leadership, the Bucks achieved the highest number of combined regular-season and playoff wins. Additionally, they held the league’s best regular-season record in three of his five seasons as head coach.
The Milwaukee Bucks parted ways with coach Mike Budenholzer following a surprising 4-1 playoff loss to the Miami Heat, despite being the top seed last season.
Now, the team has a new head coach in Adrian Griffin. With 16 seasons of experience as an NBA assistant, Griffin previously spent five years with the Toronto Raptors. Before coaching, he played in the NBA for nine years.
Adrian Griffin faced a big challenge as the head coach, guiding a team with stars like Antetokounmpo and Lillard. However, early on, there were signs of difficulty when assistant coach Terry Stotts, who had extensive coaching experience, unexpectedly left just before the season opener. Stotts had initially thought joining the coaching staff was an obvious choice but departed less than a week before the season began.
Despite their solid record, the Milwaukee Bucks have encountered challenges, particularly on the defensive front. Their defensive ranking has dropped from fourth last season to 22nd this year. Notably, in recent matchups against the Detroit Pistons, they allowed 135 and 113 points in consecutive games.
Adrian Griffin, the now-former coach at 49, brings a wealth of experience with 16 seasons as an NBA assistant, including the last five with the Toronto Raptors. Before transitioning to coaching, Griffin had a nine-year NBA playing career.
The team is facing challenges, particularly in close games against opponents like the Pistons and Warriors without key players. Scoring only 95 points in a significant loss to the Cavs and struggling in a game against the Rockets, despite a good performance from Giannis, raises concerns. Damian Lillard’s recent struggles in shooting, especially from three-point range, add to the worries.