The Milwaukee Bucks’ 2023 postseason run did not last as long as it should have. Despite finishing the regular season with the best record in the NBA, the Bucks lost in five games to the Miami Heat, who are currently playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. Of course, the fallout of that series loss was the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer. Additionally, there are numerous questions surrounding the futures of numerous players on the roster.
There are many things that fans have pointed to as to what went wrong. Giannis Antetokounmpo hurting his back in Game One. Coach Bud’s poor rotations and the decision not to call a time out. Jrue Holiday going cold. However, everyone’s Underdog and the unofficial Mayor of Milwaukee, Bobby Portis, says there was only one thing that cost the Bucks this year: losing Darvin Ham.
Lol they thinking this 2k. Only thing hurt us was D ham leaving. That ain’t talked about enough. https://t.co/6MbmVueZtC
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) May 17, 2023
Bobby Portis Indicates that the Milwaukee Bucks Miss Darvin Ham
As most fans know, Darvin Ham returned to Milwaukee (he played for the Bucks from 1999-2002) as a member of Mike Budenholzer’s staff in 2018. As the assistant head coach, Ham did a great deal of work motivating players and helping with in-game adjustments. Of course, Ham was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, whom he has led to the Western Conference Finals.
If the loss of Ham is really the one thing that went wrong for the Bucks, as Portis indicates, then one can understand why the front office is taking so long to find a new head coach. Not only do they need to find a new head coach, they need to ensure the coach brings the right people with him.
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