The Milwaukee Bucks made a surprising announcement on Tuesday by firing first-year coach Adrian Griffin, despite the team’s impressive 30–13 record. This decision has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, as the Bucks have been performing well on the court. However, keen-eyed fans online quickly noted a recent quote from star player Giannis Antetokounmpo that might have hinted at underlying issues within the team, particularly on the defensive end.
After a 112–108 loss to the Houston Rockets on January 6, Antetokounmpo openly addressed the team’s defensive struggles. He emphasized the need for a clear defensive plan, raising questions about the team’s strategy in terms of handling open threes, paint penetration, and post plays. Antetokounmpo expressed concerns about the team giving away too much, including open three-pointers, straight-line drives, and allowing opponents to feel comfortable in the post while securing offensive rebounds.
While Antetokounmpo has been vocal about the team’s defensive challenges throughout the season, it remains unclear to what extent Griffin played a role in these shortcomings. In previous years under former coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks had established themselves as one of the top defensive teams in the NBA. However, this season has seen a significant dip in their defensive performance, with the team currently ranked 22nd in defensive rating (116.8).
In the wake of Griffin’s departure, assistant coach Joe Prunty will step in as the interim coach as the organization actively seeks a permanent replacement. The unexpected move has ignited discussions and speculations within the basketball community about the underlying dynamics that led to Griffin’s dismissal despite the team’s overall success.