Adrian Griffin officially named Bucks coach

“Adrian is a highly respected coach and former player who brings great leadership and experience to our team,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said.

Adrian Griffin is the new Bucks coach, the Milwaukee franchise confirmed on Monday after sacking Mike Budenholzer in early May, who suffered the elimination in the first round of the play-offs.

The 48-year-old coach joins the 2021 NBA champion from the Toronto Raptors, where he was an assistant for five seasons, including that of the supreme title in 2019.

In addition to his pedigree, Bucks general manager Jon Horst pointed to Griffin’s ability to participate in player development, making him “the ideal choice.”

“He deserved this opportunity,” he added, Griffin having never led an NBA team in fifteen years.

He replaces Mike Budenholzer

“The Bucks are an organization of champions and I’m excited to work with a well-established roster of strong character and talented players,” the new coach said in a statement.

He had also made his debut on a bench in Milwaukee in 2008, when the franchise was under the orders of Scott Skiles.

The former Toronto player therefore takes over from Mike Budenholzer, at the head of the Bucks during the title in 2021 but also during the elimination in the first round of the play-offs this year, while Milwaukee had closed the regular season in being the best team in the East and appearing as one of the main contenders for the title.

Despite his status as former coach of the year, Mike Budenholzer was dismissed on May 4, shortly after the shock 4-1 defeat against the Miami Heat, seeded n.8 who meanwhile became grand runners-up.