After the Milwaukee Bucks’ first game following the firing of Adrian Griffin, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team’s star player, addressed the situation.
Despite Griffin’s success in leading the Bucks to one of the best records in the league, he was dismissed halfway through his first season as head coach. The decision was swiftly followed by Doc Rivers agreeing to take over as his replacement.
Antetokounmpo, speaking after the Bucks’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, expressed his admiration for Griffin, even revealing that he had invited him to his wedding. However, he also acknowledged the nature of the NBA as a business, where such decisions are commonplace.
Griffin, who boasted a 30-13 record in his 43 games as coach, now finds himself seeking new opportunities after his unexpected departure from the Bucks.
Was Giannis Antetokounmpo involved in the firing of Adrian Griffin?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s involvement in Adrian Griffin’s dismissal as coach has been a topic of speculation, although he has not explicitly acknowledged it. Reports suggest that as the team’s biggest star, significant decisions are likely brought to his attention before they are made.
Despite the Milwaukee Bucks maintaining a top-three position in the Eastern Conference, there were indications that some players, including Antetokounmpo, were not fully convinced by Griffin and his coaching strategies.
Antetokounmpo, in particular, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s defensive approach after a loss earlier in the season. This dissatisfaction was evident considering the Bucks’ drop in defensive ranking from being one of the top teams to 20th in the league.
While Antetokounmpo may have played a part, it appears that other players also had concerns with Griffin’s coaching methods. New addition Damian Lillard reportedly struggled with the team’s offensive system, with sources indicating pressure on Griffin from the organization to maximize Lillard’s talent.
Despite Griffin’s early success, particularly with a 30-13 record in his 43 games as coach, the Bucks opted for a coaching change. With aspirations of contending for championships following Lillard’s acquisition, the organization decided not to take chances and seek a new direction.
