Milwaukee Bucks sign Toronto Raptors’ Adrian Griffin as new coach

• Milwaukee Bucks have appointed Adrian Griffin as their new head coach as announced by the club
• Adrian Griffin has been serving as the assistant head coach for the Toronto Raptors prior to this appointment
• Griffin takes over from Mike Budenholzer who was sacked after a play-off defeat to Miami Heat

The Milwaukee Bucks are set to appoint Adrian Griffin, an assistant coach for NBA rivals Toronto Raptors, as their new head coach, according to sources. The decision was made on Saturday morning, and negotiations for a multiyear contract are underway, with an official agreement expected soon. Bucks general manager Jon Horst and team ownership were impressed by Griffin’s leadership qualities, character, and ability to oversee strong defensive teams.

Griffin will be taking over from Mike Budenholzer, who was let go after a first-round playoff defeat to the Miami Heat, ending his five-year tenure with the Bucks. Griffin assumes leadership of a franchise that has experienced significant success in recent years, including winning the NBA championship just two years ago, led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

During the search process, each of the three finalists for the head coaching position had the opportunity to meet with Antetokounmpo. Alongside Griffin, the other candidates were Kenny Atkinson, associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors, and former Raptors coach Nick Nurse.

Milwaukee Bucks are set to appoint Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin as the new head coach. | PHOTO: Guardian |

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Griffin has served as Nurse’s top assistant in Toronto for the past four years and will now step into his first head coaching role. He is highly regarded for his expertise in defensive strategies, having honed his defensive system under the guidance of coaches such as Scott Skiles, Tom Thibodeau, Billy Donovan, and Nurse. Griffin has also earned recognition for his player development skills, having worked with the likes of Jimmy Butler and Pascal Siakam.

Interestingly, Griffin has a previous connection with Bucks general manager Jon Horst, as Horst was part of the front office when Griffin began his coaching career in Milwaukee back in 2008. Throughout his coaching journey, Griffin has made a name for himself as a top candidate for head coaching positions, having worked with teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and Chicago Bulls.

Before his coaching career, Griffin played in the NBA for nine seasons, representing teams such as the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Seattle SuperSonics. He made significant contributions during the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals in 2006, starting in eight playoff games. Griffin also earned MVP honours in both the Continental Basketball Association and the United States Basketball League. Additionally, it is worth noting that Griffin’s son, Adrian Griffin Jr., currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks.