There have been more than a few reactions to the Milwaukee Bucks deciding to fire rookie coach Adrian Griffin halfway through the 2023-24 season. For the most part, basketball fans were shocked by this unexpected turn of events.
Former Milwaukee sharpshooter turned famed podcaster J.J. Redick had the exact same reaction as most of us. In fact, the 39-year-old even dropped an NSFW rant in his podcast as he tried to wrap his head around this massive development.
J.J. Redick Reacts to Milwaukee Bucks Giving Adrian Griffin the Axe
Redick even had to pull out a pretty mind-blowing factoid about Griffin being one of the most winningest coaches to ever be fired in the history of the NBA:
“This is f**king insane what’s happening. It’s insane!” Redick said. “… Adrian Griffin, we went through the numbers, third-winningest coach ever in terms of win percentage to be fired midseason in NBA history.”
The Bucks axed Griffin despite his team having a 30-13 record, which is good for second in the Eastern Conference. Needless to say, Milwaukee’s front office has some pretty high standards.
Redick then presented a very interesting piece of history involving the other two coaches who like Griffin, were fired mid-season despite their stellar win-loss record:
“(The) other two teams — Lakers in 1980, Cavs in ’16 — go on to win a championship,” Redick said. “Ultimately, that’s why [the Bucks] are bringing Doc Rivers in.”
“This is f*cking insane what’s happening… Third winniest coach [Adrian Griffin] ever in terms of win percentage to be fired midseason in NBA history… Ultimately, that's why they are bringing Doc Rivers in."
—JJ Redick🗣️
(via @OldManAndThree)pic.twitter.com/s38Bjfopnf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 24, 2024
During the 1979-80 season, Jack McKinney lost his job as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers very early in the campaign after suffering a near-fatal bicycle injury. The Lakers were 10-4 at that point. Paul Westhead took over to lead the squad to their first of five championships in the 1980s.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a similar case during the 2015-16 season. Tyronn Lue took over the helm after the Cavs fired David Blatt, who had amassed a 30-11 record. The LeBron James-led Cavs then went on to win the title that year.
Doc Rivers is now going to be taking over the Bucks after Griffin’s exit. Will he be able to follow in the footsteps of Westhead and Lue? Only time will tell.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.