The Milwaukee Bucks made a significant decision on Tuesday, firing head coach Adrian Griffin after months of underwhelming play. This move did not come as a surprise, as concerns had been growing internally about the team’s decline in defense, the ineffective use of newcomer Damian Lillard alongside star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the fear that the Bucks would fall short of their title-contending expectations.
The signs of a potential change began to emerge as early as the In-Season Tournament in December, where the Bucks suffered a loss to the Pacers in Las Vegas. It was during this time that league sources revealed that former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers had been serving as an informal consultant to Griffin at the request of the Bucks. Now, multiple sources indicate that Rivers is the frontrunner for the vacant head coaching position and the preferred choice of key stakeholders.
Rivers, who is currently an ESPN analyst, has an impressive coaching resume, including winning an NBA title with the Celtics in 2008 and leading them to a finals appearance in 2010. The Bucks have already begun discussions with Rivers about becoming their new head coach. However, if a deal cannot be reached with Rivers, Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, who was a runner-up in last year’s coaching search, is also a candidate for the job.
Griffin’s tenure as head coach faced challenges from the start. The departure of first-year assistant coach Terry Stotts before the preseason finale highlighted underlying issues within the coaching staff. Stotts and Griffin reportedly clashed over their roles and responsibilities, leading to Stotts’ decision to step down. Losing their most experienced voice was a setback for Griffin and his coaching staff.
To help Griffin navigate his first NBA season with high expectations and a championship-caliber team, the Bucks reached out to Rivers for guidance. Despite a promising start to the season, with a 15-6 record leading up to the In-Season Tournament, the Bucks began to struggle in January. Players started questioning Griffin’s schemes and the team’s lack of growth, raising concerns about his ability to lead the team.
One of the major issues plaguing Griffin’s tenure was the decline in the Bucks’ defense. After being one of the league’s top defensive teams under former coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks now rank 22nd in defensive rating. This decline in defensive performance reached a boiling point after a loss to the Houston Rockets, where Antetokounmpo publicly criticized the team’s defensive strategy.
Offensively, the Bucks have performed well, boasting the league’s second-most effective and efficient offense. However, integrating Lillard into the team has been a challenge. Lillard’s usage rate is significantly lower than his final season in Portland, and his efficiency has plummeted in the new environment. Griffin’s inability to create harmony among his best players on the offensive end became a point of contention.
With a 30-13 record, the Bucks are still in contention in the Eastern Conference. However, their aspirations go beyond regular-season success. The decision to fire Griffin and hire a new head coach reflects the Bucks’ commitment to competing for championships. Griffin’s growing pains as a first-year head coach ultimately led to his dismissal.
Moving forward, the Bucks will need to correct their course and regain confidence in their ability to contend for an NBA championship this season. With Rivers as a potential new head coach, the team hopes to find the right balance between offense and defense and maximize the talents of Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Only time will tell if this coaching change will lead to the desired results for the Bucks.
