Just recently, the Milwaukee Bucks dropped Adrian Griffin as the team’s head coach and will reportedly replace him with Doc Rivers. This development comes even after the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led squad is second in the Eastern Conference with a 30-13 record.
Under Griffin, the Bucks managed to climb to the Eastern Conference’s upper echelon, just behind the Boston Celtics. The recent acquisition of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers over the summer raised the team’s ceiling, making them one of the few favorites to become NBA champions this season.
Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks, Adrian Griffin
May 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the first quarter of game seven of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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For his part, Doc Rivers is a one-time champion after coaching the Boston Celtics to the promised land back in 2008. The one-time Coach of the Year awardee had the distinction of having the trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce on that team almost two decades ago.
Now, if he’s really hired, Rivers will hope to replicate his success in Boston by coaching the All-Star duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard. With the playoffs looming over the horizon, only time can tell if he’ll be successful.
Jamal Crawford Disheartened at Milwaukee Bucks’ Decision to Fire Adrian Griffin
Milwaukee Bucks, Adrian Griffin, Andre Jackson Jr..
Jan 8, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin calla a play in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Among the many personalities who weighed in on the Bucks’ decision to drop Adrian Griffin is Jamal Crawford. Speaking on TNT, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year awardee didn’t hold back on his perspective.
“I don’t like it, to be honest with you. … The Bucks aren’t going to be judged on the regular season anyway. … They’re going to be judged on their postseason success. He didn’t get a chance at that and, for me, that’s disheartening,” Crawford said.
Crawford said that Griffin waited so long for a coaching opportunity like the one he had in Milwaukee. The former NBA star also didn’t like the firing after guiding the Bucks to a winning record this season.
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At this point in time, several personalities have given their opinion on Griffin’s firing. While there have been some reports on how it happened, including losing the Bucks’ locker room, more eyes will be on Doc Rivers to see if he’ll succeed where Griffin failed.