The Milwaukee Bucks and their coaching search are starting to heat up. According to reports, the team has received permission to interview Warriors top assistant Kenny Atkinson. Atkinson took the Charlotte Hornets top job last summer before changing his mind and deciding to return to the Warriors.
The 55 year old coach was previously the Head Coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-2020. Interestingly enough, Atkinson was also on former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer’s Atlanta Hawks staff from 2012-2016.
When Atkinson was the Head Coach of the Nets, Brook Lopez was one of his top players. And while Atkinson only has a career Head Coaching record of 118-190, his Brooklyn teams dramatically improved under his watch.
Atkinson had an extensive professional playing career in Europe.
Related: 2 Reasons the Bucks won’t hire Nick Nurse: And one reason they should
Charles Lee Might be the frontrunner
Atkinson was also, reportedly, interviewed by Toronto who just interviewed JJ Redick. Charles Lee, the Bucks top assistant under Budenholzer, was also interviewed by Toronto and Detroit.
Lee is thought to be a front runner for the open Detroit Pistons job. He might also be the front runner for the Bucks job.
After watching Darvin Ham and Taylor Jenkins have success in the NBA, maybe Bucks management is envious of the success of other Budenholzer assistants. Charles Lee is certainly ready to be a head coach. And similar to Nick Nurse (who was an assistant for five years in Toronto before he became head coach) Lee has paid his dues.
Lee might also have the ear of the Giannis camp.
Lee is 38. He also has professional hoops experience. He played in the summer league and in the preseason with the Spurs before he was cut. He then went on to have some success playing professionally in Europe.
What’s Next?
With new ownership having arrived, Brook Lopez (FA), Joe Ingles (FA), Jae Crowder (FA), Wesley Matthews (FA) and Khris Middleton (player option) more than likely gone, this team will look very different next season. The new coach will need to instill new principles and captain the ship.
Milwaukee will certainly have some very different players next season. One persistent rumor seems to be that Milwaukee might go all-in and grab Damian Lillard.
For the Bucks, this would be the ultimate “all-in”. You’d have to hope, above all hopes, that Damian Lillard, paired with Giannis, would take Milwaukee to another NBA Championship.
All-time, the Bucks are 2,340-2,103. (.527%). So they have won more games than they have lost. Conversely the Kings are 2,702- 3,221 (.456%) or the Hawks are 2,892-2,964 (.493%) all-time.
The Bucks have enjoyed success. Now they need a new coach.
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