The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to fire head coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games. So, who did the Bucks go and get as Griffin’s replacement? Doc Rivers. The issues with Griffin allegedly began during training camp when there was a clash between him and assistant coach Terry Stotts in front of the entire team. Reportedly, there was also friction between Griffin and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The issues allegedly started in the first week of the season when it was becoming a disaster when Griffin’s aggressive defensive schemes were not working with the team 2-2 at that time. After giving up 130 points against the Toronto Raptors early in the season, the team held an intervention meeting.
In my opinion, it is too soon to fire Griffin. The Bucks are second in the Eastern Conference and first in their division. At the time of Griffin’s firing, Milwaukee had posted a 30-13 record. This was a pretty good record. So, it makes no sense why the Bucks would fire Griffin just for having a good record. Maybe if Griffin and Stotts weren’t in a conflict the Bucks would be a better team.
If you look at Greg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, his team has the worst record in the Western Conference. The Spurs just cracked the 10-win mark, and the NBA is halfway into its season. How does Popovich still get to keep his coaching job? It shouldn’t matter if Popovich is a Hall of Fame coach.
In a statement, Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst said, “This was a difficult decision to make during the season, We are working immediately toward hiring our next head coach. We thank Coach Griffin for his hard work and contributions to the team.”
“Someone really wise said looking back is ego, so I’m going to stay in the present and not look back and there’s no regrets,” Horst added.
Popovich has been coaching the Spurs since 1996. and has helped the Spurs make it to the playoffs. To his credit, Popovich has guided the Spurs to five NBA titles, so that probably is why he is still the head coach of San Antonio. The last time the Spurs made it to the playoffs was in 2019. I think that the Spurs can’t get rid of Popovich because he is a Hall of Famer in 2023, and fans now think they can trust him to be the coach.
Popovich should have been fired a long time ago since the Spurs aren’t playoff material. A championship pedigree is what separates Popovich and Griffin. That is why Griffin got dismissed and Popovich stayed. Under former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee’s defensive rating has always on the top because of Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo protecting the rim.
Milwaukee’s defensive efficiency was fourth in the NBA last season. So far, Milwaukee’s defensive efficiency this season has gotten worse. The Bucks are No. 22 in defensive efficiency this season. Lopez defended higher in pick-and-rolls and Giannis and Bobby Portis had to trap or blitz ball handlers.
The new scheme implemented by Griffin was supposed to generate more turnovers and improve defensive play, but it has turned into a disaster.
Maybe Griffin would have stayed with the Bucks if he could have changed his defense, but he chose not to. After Griffin got fired, the Bucks decided to hire Doc Rivers as their new head coach. With the coaching change, the pressure is now on the Bucks to win it all. Rivers has already won an NBA title and is well-respected as a head coach around the league.
Rivers began his coaching career in 1999 with the Orlando Magic and has been head coach for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadephia 76ers. His only title came when he guided the Celtics to the championship in 2008.
Top Photo Caption: Feb. 8, 2022. Milwaukee Bucks center Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) scores 44 points to lead his team to a 131-116 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Dennis J Freeman/News4usonline
My favorite sport to write about is soccer. I am very passionate about soccer. I also write stories and cover college football. I cover and write about college or professional sports in and around Los Angeles. I enjoy watching soccer, basketball, baseball, and football.