A new era has begun for the Milwaukee Bucks. This is after the team opted to part ways with now-former head coach Adrian Griffin after just half a season in charge.
The next man up for them is NBA champion coach Doc Rivers who will now step in as the team’s new shot-caller. Rivers was not in Milwaukee to coach the Bucks on Wednesday night as they took on the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. still made sure to mark their first game in the post-Adrian Griffin era with a much-needed victory.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Speaks Out on Recent Developments
Giannis put forth another strong performance in this one, finishing with a 35-point triple-double with 18 rebounds and 10 assists. It was exactly the type of outing the Bucks needed from their talisman, who himself made sure that his team was going to get their revenge on the Cavs.
After the 126-116 win, Antetokounmpo was asked to discuss the recent turn of events within the squad and how it affected their performance on Wednesday night. The former back-to-back MVP took the opportunity to heap praise on his team following the big win:
“I think everybody did the best job they could,” he said. “… This is something new for the whole team. I think from shootaround everybody was locked in. We knew we were gonna play a team like the Cavs — a great team. We played them a week ago and they beat us pretty well. We know that we had to come out here and be focused, try to put on the gameplan in the best of our ability, and the whole team did that.
“In times like this it’s either you tear us apart or bring us together and I think it’s going to bring us together.”
"In times like this it's either you tear us apart or bring us together and I think it's going to bring us together."
Giannis talks with @melaniebricks after the win. #FearTheDeer #Bucks pic.twitter.com/5APiWjaTA8
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) January 25, 2024
Giannis is not undermining the significance of Adrian Griffin’s exit. In fact, he pretty much conceded in his statement above that this is a pivotal moment for the Bucks in terms of what’s ahead for them this season — and beyond.
As Antetokounmpo said, he is confident that all this will only make the Bucks a stronger unit. The fact that they pulled off an important win on Day 1 serves as a testament to this notion.
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