Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks saw an early exit from this year?s NBA playoffs. Being the first seed in the Eastern Conference, it sure was somewhat of an embarrassment to get knocked out by the eight-seeded Miami Heat team. With Milwaukee out of contention, the Bucks front office made some drastic changes, letting go of their head coach Mike Budenholzer. This led a nine-time NBA champion to speak up on the matter.
Budenholzer coached The Bucks for five seasons and led them to a championship in 2021, something the franchise hadn’t achieved since the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
9x NBA champion opens up on the changes in the Bucks organization
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Mike Budenholzer played an integral role to create an environment of success in the Milwaukee Bucks organization. He was the head coach that led them to their first chip in 50 years and constant top-seeded seasons. However, despite his excellent record, the franchise decided to move on from the 53-year-old.?
After the poor performance by Milwaukee in the first round, the Bucks? front office decided to part ways with Coach Bud. When asked to give his views on it, nine-time NBA champion and fellow coach Steve Kerr had this to say.
?On the one hand, we all know what we are getting into when we get into this business. So, my first response is not necessarily shock. It’s more disappointment because Bud is a fantastic coach and just won a championship and has been wildly successful in his coaching career. But this is the business we?re in. Raymond just told me, three of the last four championship coaches have been fired.?
"It's more disappointment because Bud is a fantastic coach and just won a championship and has been wildly successful in his coaching caring."
Steve Kerr on the firing of Mike Budenholzer pic.twitter.com/Aku1YeUhrx
— Kirsten Moran-Kellar (@kirstenlizmoran) May 4, 2023
?And it just happens quickly. There are expectations every year for every team are so high and only one team can win. So, it?s sad news for the coaching profession. I think we all believe that Bud deserved a lot better. But we also, as I said, are aware this is the job we chose and we?re all vulnerable,? added Kerr.
Was this the right move for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks?
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Given that Mike Budenholzer did not do a great job during the first round, there were some other factors at play for it. One of the biggest reasons why the Bucks failed to perform well was the injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek Freak missed a few games that shifted the momentum in favor of the Miami Heat. Moreover, Coach Bud had suffered a huge loss in his family which may explain why he wasn?t on his A-game during the series.
Watch This Story – Giannis Antetokounmpo’s most heated moments over the years
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Unfortunately, the Bucks front office decided to pull the plug on Bud?s coaching tenure regardless. Even after the fact that he led the team to the first seed in the East.?
Now, let?s see where Budenholzer takes his talents to.