Are the Milwaukee Bucks facing a coaching crisis?

By Hamzah Amir Ahmed

Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin reacts in the second half against the Houston Rockets (Image: Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks have fired head coach Adrian Griffin. This decision comes as a shock to many Bucks fans considering the team had the second-best record in the league at the time of his dismissal. Griffin led the team to 30 wins from 43 games, but concerns have constantly been raised about the team’s lack of defensive identity.

Despite one of the best records in the NBA, the Bucks have not looked the same. Last season, the team were fourth overall in defensive rating, but this season, they have plummeted to 22nd. The Bucks have allowed 116.8 points per 100 possessions and according to the league schedule, the Bucks have played the easiest and are now on track to finish the season with the toughest.

After trading all-star guard, Jrue Holiday, for fellow all-star Damian Lillard, the Bucks were viewed as heavy favourites for the title but the loss of Holiday, who is one of the best perimeter defenders, was expected to impact the Bucks’ defensive prowess. For months now, the Bucks have been struggling and many comments have been made throughout the season about their performances.

Following a 112-108 loss to the Houston Rockets in January, Giannis Antetokounmpo complained about the team’s defensive issues. He said: “We are giving everything. We are giving threes. We are giving straight-line drives. We are letting guys play in the post and get comfortable. We’re giving offensive rebounds.”

Despite the Bucks’ defensive frailties, Antetokounmpo believes it’s not due to a lack of effort (Image: Getty Images)

Griffin’s firing is like that of David Blatt. In the 2015-16 season. Blatt was in charge of the Cleveland Cavaliers. After winning the Eastern Conference in his debut season, followed by an impressive 30-11 record, Blatt was relieved of his duties.

The Bucks are wasting no time on finding a suitable replacement as they are close to appointing Doc Rivers as their new head coach.

The NBA veteran is set for his head coach return following his departure from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023 (Image: Getty Images)

Rivers is one of the most experienced coaches in the NBA and knows how to handle superstar players having coached many players on NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. He would also bring championship experience to the Bucks having won a title with the Boston Celtics in 2008 with their famous trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.

Rivers has a bit of history on his side. After Blatt was fired, Ty Lue, who was already on the coaching staff at the time, was promoted to head coach and took the Cavs to a championship the same season.

However, Rivers has a lot to prove. Unsuccessful spells at the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, have saw Rivers fall out of favour. While in Philadelphia, Rivers became the first coach in NBA history to have three teams fail to advance after taking a 3-1 lead. A stat that eventually saw him get fired.

Many doubt his ability to get it done when it matters, and some fans believe that he is still riding the coattails on the title his Boston team won 16 seasons ago. But one thing is certain, he knows defence and what fans can expect is that the current Bucks will likely improve defensively under his tutelage.

If he gets confirmed as coach, Bucks faithful can also expect their side’s offence to be better. The pick and roll between Antetokounmpo and Lillard has been an exciting prospect but one that has yet to live up to its potential, but that could change with Rivers steering the ship.