The Milwaukee Bucks, in a surprising move, have dismissed coach Adrian Griffin despite holding one of the NBA’s top records. Griffin’s tenure ended abruptly after just 43 games into his first season with the team. The Bucks, currently boasting a strong 30-13 record and sitting second in the Eastern Conference, are now on the hunt for a new head coach.
Sources close to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reveal that the Bucks have set their sights on accomplished veteran coach Doc Rivers. Discussions are already underway with Rivers as the franchise explores its options to fill the coaching vacancy.
General Manager Jon Horst expressed that this mid-season decision was challenging but necessary. “We thank Coach Griffin for his efforts and contributions,” Horst stated. Joe Prunty, a seasoned assistant, will step in as the interim coach until a permanent replacement is found.
Griffin’s exit comes in the wake of the team’s ambitious move to acquire star player Damian Lillard, escalating expectations for a strong season performance. However, defensive struggles have plagued the Bucks, falling from fourth to 22nd in defense compared to the last season.
This coaching change is significant in the NBA landscape, marking the highest winning percentage for a team to fire its coach mid-season since the Cleveland Cavaliers’ decision in 2015-16. Griffin, who brought 16 years of NBA assistant coaching experience and a nine-year playing career, now leaves a gap for the Bucks to fill as they continue their pursuit of championship glory.
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