The Milwaukee Bucks started the 2022-23 NBA campaign with a franchise nine straight wins. Even after a loss to Atlanta on Monday to end the streak, the Bucks have the NBA’s best record at 9-1.
A lot of praise has been thrown out concerning the Bucks’ great start. Giannis, Jrue, Brook and Bobby are receiving a lot of credit for their outstanding play. One name, however, that you rarely see mentioned is that of head coach Mike Budenholzer.
With three key contributors out due to injuries, Coach Bud has navigated the 9-1 start with assorted rotations and line-ups that will be a lot different when Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton and Joe Ingles are healthy. Bottom line: Budenholzer deserves a lot of credit for the Bucks early success.
That having been said, here’s a question to answer: Is Mike Budenholzer an elite NBA coach?
Coach Bud has success in Atlanta and Milwaukee
The 53-year-old Budenholzer is in his 10th season as a head coach. He spent five years (2013-14 to 2017-18) as the main man in Atlanta compiling a 213-197 (.520 winning percentage) regular season record. He led the Hawks to a 60-win season in his second year and saw the Hawks make the playoffs in four of his five years.
In 2018-19, Budenholzer moved to the Bucks and led them to a 60-win season in his first year. The team won an NBA title in 2021 and has compiled a 222-97 record (.696) in his four-plus years in Milwaukee.
Where Budenholzer ranks among other NBA coaches
The above stats may not be enough to christen Coach Bud as one of the league’s “elite” coaches, but let’s look at a few other numbers on Budenholzer’s head coaching career resume:
- Bud’s 729 regular season games as a head coach ranks 50th among head coaches in the NBA. With 72 games remaining this season, Budenholzer will likely finish this regular season with over 800 games coached, one of only 46 coaches to reach that number in league history.
- Budenholzer’s 435 wins ranks tied for 43rd among fellow head coaches.
- He has a .597 winning percentage in all his games coached (Atlanta and Milwaukee). Among head coaches with at least 250 games, that .597 win percentage ranks 13th all-time in the league.
- Budenholzer has seen his teams advance to the playoffs in eight of his first nine seasons. His 99 playoff games rank 24th… his .556 playoff win percentage ranks tied for 31st… and his 55 playoff wins ranks tied for 21st among NBA head coaches.
- His championship with the Bucks two seasons ago makes him one of 35 head coaches to win an NBA title.
Elite head coach in the NBA? What’s your call?
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