The dominoes are beginning to fall. Every year, with the trade deadline approaching, teams go into panic mode. Whether it is all-in or all-out, the time is prime for major roster decisions. And one of the biggest pieces just came off the board. Despite boasting the 3rd seed in the Conference, with a top-5 offense to boot, the Milwaukee Bucks haven’t looked right all season. As a result, the team that finally got Damian Lillard out of Portland has been under immense scrutiny. But, their move to fire Head Coach Adrian Griffin was met with equal skepticism. Magic Johnson doesn’t believe Griffin was at fault at all for the team’s issues.

“I think the Bucks firing former Head Coach Adrian Griffin was a big mistake. It’s not his fault the Bucks traded their best on-ball defender, Jrue Holiday. They are not a good defensive team and are all-around too slow.” 

While his argument is solid, the Bucks retained most of the roster from the previous season, barring Holiday. But their turnaround from one of the top three defenses last year to the bottom three has been inexplicable. One player cannot bring that dramatic a difference.

Further, with reports of Dame’s dissatisfaction with his role on the offense making the rounds, perhaps a new voice was necessary in the locker room. With reports of a Dejounte Murray trade also making the rounds, this move might be the first in a line of them.

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Can Milwaukee turn their year around?

What’s next for the Milwaukee Bucks?

The question for the team has been the defense all year long. Behind Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team has been one of the best offenses in the league and continues to find ways to win games. However, those games haven’t been as smooth sailing as previously hoped for.

With a front-court rotation of Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis, the defense should post better numbers than it has all season. With Doc Rivers seemingly the favorite to land the role, or even a return for Griffin in the future, with the organization, can he bring them back to a stingy defense?

Or, is the team playing second fiddle to the likes of Philly and Boston?

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