(Milwaukee) The Milwaukee Bucks have fired head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games, despite the team having one of the best mid-season records in the NBA, according to a person familiar with the matter. the decision reported to the Associated Press on Tuesday.
This person requested anonymity to speak with the AP because the team has not yet confirmed the information.
The Bucks are 30-13, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for second overall. The Wisconsin team is three and a half games behind the leaders in the Eastern Association, the Boston Celtics.
The Bucks’ poor performance on defense, however, has raised many concerns about their ability to become serious title contenders in the NBA, despite the acquisition of star player Damian Lillard at the dawn of the campaign to support the job by Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks occupy 22e rank in the NBA in terms of defensive efficiency, while they occupied fourth place in this regard last season.
The Bucks named Griffin as head coach last summer after firing Mike Budenholzer, who led them to their first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
Griffin, who is 49, spent 16 seasons in an NBA assistant role, including the last five with the Toronto Raptors. He also played nine seasons as a player in the NBA.