Adrian Griffin’s tenure as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks was doomed from the start. The moment he was appointed, it felt like a recipe for disaster. Hiring former Bucks coach Terry Stotts as an assistant, only for management to bring in Damian Lillard’s former head coach as another assistant, felt like a shotgun wedding. It was clear that Griffin was not the right fit for the team, and it was never going to last.
The signs were evident from the moment Stotts was hired as a pseudo-offensive coordinator. It was a glaring neon sign that Griffin was not long for the Bucks. And it turns out, Stotts wasn’t the only coach management was considering. According to The Athletic, Doc Rivers was initially a consultant to Griffin when he was hired, and they later approached him to serve as an assistant. It was clear that Griffin was merely a caretaker and not the long-term solution.
When Griffin was fired, the pro-Doc PR machine launched immediately. It seemed like Rivers was being considered as the frontrunner to replace Griffin. Rivers’ name had been mentioned as a candidate for other coaching positions, but now it seemed more direct. It was clear that Rivers was the preferred choice.
During Griffin’s short tenure, the Bucks had a 30-13 start to the season, but he lacked the authority and respect of a head coach. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preference to play for Griffin helped him earn the job, but it quickly became clear that Griffin was not able to address the team’s issues. The perimeter defense suffered after the acquisition of Lillard, and there were no solutions in sight.
Griffin made matters worse by implementing an aggressive defensive scheme that relied on a weak defensive guard pressuring the ball. The team’s aspirations were high, but Griffin was not able to deliver. It was expected that he would at least have the opportunity to finish the season and potentially grow into the job. But the Bucks decided to cut his tenure short after just 43 games, making it the third-shortest stint in NBA history.
The Bucks wanted Griffin gone so badly that they were willing to potentially make room for Rivers. Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson is also a candidate, but it seems like Rivers is the frontrunner. Firing a head coach in the middle of the season is always risky, but the Bucks were compelled to act due to Antetokounmpo’s frustrations, Lillard’s dip in play, and a slump in the team’s performance.
Rivers may have a nickname that lends him credibility, but his recent coaching career has been filled with rough patches. His rotations, execution, and outdated offensive philosophy have been criticized in recent years. The league has evolved, but Rivers hasn’t kept up. Philadelphia’s improved offensive unit since his departure highlights the potential that was squandered under his coaching.
Rivers seems to be the Bucks’ only option now. Unless they choose to stick with veteran assistant Joe Prunty for the rest of the season, Rivers has them cornered. However, if they want to go with a retread, they could consider Mike Budenholzer. The field may be shallow, but Rivers’ agent always finds a way to secure him opportunities.
In the end, Griffin was set up to fail from the start. The Bucks’ decision to hire him and the subsequent hiring of other coaches as assistants made it clear that he was a placeholder. It’s a shame that his tenure was cut short, but it seems that Rivers is the chosen replacement. Only time will tell if he can turn things around for the Bucks.
