By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Adrian Griffin won 30 out of 43 games as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, but the organization decided to relieve him of his duty. Doc Rivers is expected to replace him.
The star of the franchise and two-time NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, shared his thoughts on Milwaukee’s decision to change the course despite solid results:
“This is the thing that I don’t like about the NBA. It’s a crazy business. Yesterday, Coach Griff was our head coach. Today, he’s not. And we walk in there, and it’s like he was never here. I don’t like that about the NBA, and I speak openly about it. But I understand it. It’s business. People being traded, people being waived, people have to change their whole lives just like that.”
Giannis insists he had a good relationship with Coach Griffin.
“People are creating a narrative that’s not accurate. Like, “Oh, he did not have a good relationship with Griff.” False. I loved the guy. I invited him to my wedding, you know? I talked with him. I was coached by him, and we did very, very, very well.”
He then turned to player involvement in big franchise decisions, such as coaching changes.
“In a position like that, you have to understand that when somebody’s being hired, at times the GM might come and ask, “What do you think about that?” “What do you think about this?” or whatever, and not just me, players, people that he trusts their advice. But at times, they make it seem like it’s the players that are making the decision, and this guy got traded because he wanted him, but like, no. I have a job. My job is to be the best version that I can be and try to lead this team to win games. Like, that is why I get paid. I don’t get paid to change people’s lives and make people uncomfortable. I get paid to defend, and block shots, and I try to stick to that as much as I can. Because I understand that I don’t like that aspect of it. And there are people who get paid a lot of money to make those decisions, and those decisions are hard. And I also gotta respect Jon (Horst). Because it’s hard. It’s not easy. But again, me personally, I don’t want to be involved in that. I don’t like that.”
The Greek superstar admitted that the front office asked for his opinion on many occasions.
“Have I been in a position to be asked, “What do you think about that?” or “What do you think about this?” Yeah, many times. But I was not involved in the hiring of Coach Griff. I talked with him the same way I talked with Coach Bud. But nobody said I was involved, you know, in hiring Coach Bud because I was a kid. But of course, they asked, “What do you think about this guy?” “I think he’s a great guy. He looks like a good guy to me.” “What do you think about Coach Griff?” Everybody, they’re good people. But ultimately, I don’t make that decision. I wish I did, you know? I wish I did. But I don’t. I really, I really don’t. I just try to stick with basketball, “Giannis Antetokounmpo concluded.
Milwaukee Bucks got to their 31st win of the season with assistant coach Joe Prunty leading the team, but Doc Rivers is expected to assume the head coaching position.