The Milwaukee Bucks introduced Adrian Griffin to the media today as the franchise’s 17th head coach. Griffin is taking over a team with NBA Championship aspirations. Despite former head coach Mike Budenholzer’s firing, there is no doubt that he changed the culture and expectations for basketball in Milwaukee. Over the course of his five seasons, Budenholzer had a .693 winning percentage in the regular season and won a NBA Championship in 2021. None of the seven head coaches before him had a winning percentage over .500. Making the NBA Playoffs was a high goal when he first arrived.
Related: Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler Praised Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Adrian Griffin for His Development
Expectations are different now. Griffin is not expected to just make the playoffs, but also to win titles, preferably a lot of them. He is taking over a team that has a prime Giannis Antetokounmpo, arguably the best player in the NBA today. The Championship window is wide open and, as evidenced by Budenholzer’s firing, early elimination is not acceptable. But what made Griffin stand out above all the experienced coaches and bigger names throughout the hiring process? Horst explained that to the media today.
Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst Praises Adrian Griffin’s Approach to the Hiring Process
During the media session in which Griffin was introduced as head coach, Horst was asked about what made Griffin stand out above candidates like Nick Nurse and Kenny Atkinson. Here is his response:
#Bucks GM Jon Horst on Adrian Griffin making a strong impression in every step of the hiring process. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/arniKp9Q4I
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 6, 2023
“Specifically to Adrian, he impressed every step of the way. So we had first our reference work and our background work. You literally talk to ushers in arenas, you know, you talk to ex teammates, you talk to coaches he coached with. And everyone was just emphatic about the person that Adrian is. About the work ethic that he has, about the relationship building, the quality of the players and staff.
“And then we interview him and he blew us away in the interview. And then we bring him back for a second interview and we get to the chalk talk and we get him on the board and we watch the film. And he blows us away again.
“Then he meets with our staff, the front office staff, the medical staff, business side, players, ownership, blows them away again. And then he gets to the big moment, you know, ‘You’re the guy that’s going into the final interview with owners. Don’t mess it up.’ And he did great again.”
It certainly sounds like the Bucks did their homework on Griffin before settling on him as their next head coach. Hopefully this will mean deeper playoff runs and more Championship banners in the near future.
It is interesting to note that several players were present at Griffin’s introductory press conference. Among these was Jevon Carter, who is a free agent this summer. Perhaps that is an indication that he will be back in Milwaukee. Myers Leonard and MarJon Beauchamp were also present.
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