(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Firing your coach when you have the best record in the NBA isn’t something that happens every year, but it became evident that the Milwaukee Bucks had maxed out under Mike Budenholzer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo publically criticized him for his lack of adjustments in their playoff loss to the Miami Heat, and there’s no going back once your star player doesn’t want you there.
However, replacing a seasoned veteran and former NBA champion with a first-year coach doesn’t usually lead to success, and the Bucks are finding out that the hard way.
Adrian Griffin has looked way over his head more often than not since taking over the team, and it seems like even some of his players aren’t happy with his ways.
According to Chris Haynes (via Bleacher Report), Bobby Portis burst out at the coach following the team’s loss to the Indiana Pacers for the In-Season Tournament semifinals.
Bobby Portis ‘passionately challeneged’ coach Adrian Griffin and teammates following IST loss to the Pacers, per B/R’s @ChrisBHaynes
Griffin welcomed the criticism and acknowledged he could do a better job being more aggressive with his play-calling pic.twitter.com/d3J1jgUxYj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 8, 2023
Griffin reportedly ‘welcomed the criticism’ and vowed to be more aggressive with his play-calling.
The former assistant coach has looked overwhelmed at times as if he has no control or authority over his stars.
He’s been a bystander way too often, letting his players dig themselves out of big holes.
That won’t cut it out at the highest level, and it’s not like the Bucks can afford to be patient with him.
It’s NBA championship or bust for the Bucks, regardless of what Giannis wants to say about failure and whatnot.
And no coach can overcome losing his locker room, so he’ll have to show some character now.
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