Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘stunned’ by Adrian Griffin firing, trusts Bucks’ brass

MILWAUKEE — Bucks two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned the firing of first-year coach Adrian Griffin caught him without warning, however that he trusts Milwaukee’s decision-makers to provide the workforce the absolute best likelihood to win a championship.

“I’ve acquired to belief the entrance workplace, I’ve acquired to belief the possession group that they think about the larger image,” Antetokounmpo mentioned following the Bucks’ 126-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday evening. “My job is to be one of the best model of myself, to steer this workforce on the market and assist win video games.

“Their job is to create one of the best workforce potential and one of the best environment across the workforce potential that they consider offers us a greater likelihood to win a championship. However yeah, I do suppose [firing coach Griffin] was a shock.”

Griffin was dismissed on Tuesday regardless of a 30-13 file by means of his first 43 video games, second within the Japanese Convention. He’s the primary coach since David Blatt was fired by the Cavs in 2015-16 to be dismissed with such a excessive successful proportion.

Sources informed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Doc Rivers reached an settlement in precept Wednesday to develop into the Bucks’ subsequent coach. Common supervisor Jon Horst mentioned he wouldn’t remark till a deal turned official.

Earlier than Wednesday’s sport, Horst detailed his determination to fireside Griffin, saying he wished to enhance the group at a training degree with a purpose to maximize the workforce’s championship window this season. He additionally emphasised that this was a choice made by the workforce’s entrance workplace and possession group, not one pushed by participant enter.

Antetokounmpo has been vocal all season in his criticism of the Bucks’ efficiency regardless of their file. Even on Wednesday, he acknowledged the methods Milwaukee may enhance when requested about Horst’s evaluation that they’d not performed to their full potential.

“From our chemistry, to the best way we observe, our degree of focus after we go on the market, there’s lots of issues that we may do higher,” he mentioned. “Two-man sport with me and [Damian Lillard] extra. Me and Khris [Middleton] to additionally join extra. To posting up Brook [Lopez]. There’s so many issues … so I am going to most likely assume that he is referring to these issues.”

Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo refuted the concept he didn’t have a superb relationship with Griffin or that he was concerned with the choice.

“I liked the man. I invited him to my wedding ceremony,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “I used to be coached by him and we did very, very, very effectively. When someone is being employed, the GM would possibly come and ask, ‘What do you consider that? What do you consider this?’ or no matter and never simply me — gamers, people who he trusts their recommendation. However at instances, they make it appear to be it is the gamers which can be making the choice.”

Of their first sport since Griffin was fired, the Bucks by no means trailed towards the Cavs, avenging a 40-point loss in Cleveland final week when Antetokounmpo didn’t play. On Wednesday, he posted 35 factors, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, his third triple-double prior to now 4 video games and seventh on the season, matching a season excessive (2020-21).

Lillard mentioned he was additionally caught off guard by Griffin’s dismissal, but additionally agreed Milwaukee has not performed to its full potential.

“There’s been lots of expectations on our workforce,” Lillard mentioned after Wednesday’s sport. “Issues have been anticipated to look a sure approach. We have had a bumpy street to our success, which is typically part of the method. I used to be stunned. But it surely’s a part of the sport. Folks get traded, individuals get waived, individuals get fired, and that is by no means one thing you need to see.”