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Hours After Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Got Him Fired, Adrian Griffin Still Hopeful of Bucks Return

Published 01/23/2024, 7:42 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

In a timeline where blockbuster trades dominate the headlines, the Milwaukee Bucks took a different route. Just 43 games into the season, and despite holding one of the top seeds, they cut ties with head coach Adrian Griffin. Presently, Milwaukee is 30-13 in the season. They sit with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second-best record. With that, their immediate agenda involves securing another key figure to lead Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

In the interim, the helm will be entrusted to longtime assistant coach Joe Prunty. This juncture is crucial for the Bucks, aiming to uphold their current seed and make a push for the coveted top spot in the league. Simultaneously, for Griffin, it serves as a tantalizing glimpse into the pinnacle of his coaching career.

Adrian Griffin hopes to lead the Bucks again

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Expressing gratitude for the opportunity provided by the franchise, Griffin took a moment to underscore the intrinsic elements of the Bucks. Reflecting on his time with the team, he conveyed a sense of fulfillment and then extended his appreciation for coaching a championship-caliber team, lauding the players involved. However, while coming to terms with the conclusion of his tenure, Adrian says, “Hopefully, I get another shot at it, but overall, I’m just thankful.”

Within a mere four months into the season, Griffin faced the abrupt termination of his coaching tenure. It marks the second head coach loss for the Bucks in the past year. Following Mike Budenholzer’s departure in June 2023, the Bucks inked a four-year deal with Griffin. Now, with the anticipation of another coaching change on the horizon, they find themselves potentially shouldering the financial burden of three head coaches’ salaries.

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Read More – Giannis Antetokounmpo Settled for HC Adrian Griffin Just to Avoid Ex-NBA Champ, as per Startling Reports

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After the decision to part ways with Budenholzer, the Bucks wanted to bring in Nick Nurse. However, influenced by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s endorsement of Griffin and his reluctance to play under Nurse, the team opted to grant Adrian his first-ever head coaching role.

Why did the Bucks part ways with Griffin?

Contrary to speculations suggesting Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo may have played a role in Adrian’s firing, it fails to capture the accurate narrative. Giannis had previously laid down his ambitions, emphasizing a commitment to pursuing championships and issuing a warning that any misalignment would result in his departure. The addition of Damian Lillard solidified the Bucks’ stance, creating a win-now scenario for Griffin.

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Before Adrian took the helm, the Bucks ranked among the NBA’s top 5 defensive teams. However, this season paints them as slipping out of the top 10. Despite the flourishing Bucks offense, it has encountered intermittent hiccups, contributing to the team’s decision to move on from Griffin in pursuit of a more immediate championship trajectory.

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Written by:

Saahil Dhillan

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Edited by:

Vishav