The Milwaukee Bucks made a surprising mid-season move by parting ways with first-time head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games into his inaugural season, even though the Bucks stand at a 2nd place in the east with 30 wins and 13 losses. The decision, fueled by a series of challenges and inconsistencies, reflects the franchise’s determination to address issues that were hindering their performance, and the persistence they’ve shown in chasing a championship.
The signs of discord within the coaching staff surfaced even before the season tipped off. Griffin’s top assistant, Terry Stotts, chose to part ways with the team due to reported differences and difficulties. Stotts’ departure foreshadowed a coaching environment that was perhaps not as cohesive as needed for a successful campaign, but it also looked like he left the Bucks due to Griffin’s unwillingness to utilise the pick & roll.
One of the notable challenges Griffin faced was in crafting effective player rotations. His reliance on certain veterans, such as Pat Connaughton and Cameron Payne, drew criticism for potentially hindering the team’s overall performance. The struggle to find optimal player combinations raised questions about Griffin’s ability to make strategic decisions for the team’s benefit.
Griffin faced criticism for not effectively staggering the playing time of star players Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. This decision impacted the team’s rhythm, especially when both were on the floor. The offensive system failed to fully utilize Lillard as the primary ball-handler, with Giannis often taking charge, leading to a noticeable dip in Lillard’s usual impact on the game. This makes it even more incomprehensible that they weren’t staggered at all times, so that they could both go solo for a while during games.
Despite having two Defensive Player of the Year-level players in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, the Bucks’ defense appeared lackluster under Griffin’s leadership. His aggressive schemes weren’t working early on, which led to a more traditional defense that helped, but only partially. Even with the lack of perimeter defenders, the team struggled to find defensive cohesion, raising questions about Griffin’s ability to maximize the defensive talents at his disposal.
As a rookie head coach, Griffin found himself in a situation where establishing authority and trust proved challenging. This dynamic may have contributed to the team’s struggles on and off the court. Both Giannis & Dame publicly stated that they don’t know what the strategy is, and quite frankly, neither did I.
The decision to part ways with Adrian Griffin reflects the Milwaukee Bucks’ commitment to this (very) short championship window they have. As the Bucks navigate the rest of the season, the search for a new head coach has landed on Doc Rivers, with the hope that the veteran head coach can revitalize the team’s championship aspirations.
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