Bucks make hiring of Adrian Griffin official, news conference set for Tuesday

By Jordan Ketler June 6, 2023 31 mins read 123 Views

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Adrian Griffin is getting his first head coaching job at the same place where he started out as an assistant.

The Milwaukee Bucks officially announced Monday they have hired Griffin to replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired last month after a first-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat. Reports surfaced on April 29 that the Bucks were finalizing an agreement to make Griffin their next coach.

An introductory news conference is scheduled for Tuesday.

Griffin has spent the last five seasons as a Toronto Raptors assistant on a staff headed by Nick Nurse, who was fired after the season and has since been hired as the Philadelphia 76ers’ head coach.

Griffin’s coaching career began during a stint as a Bucks assistant on Scott Skiles’ staff from 2008-10.

“The Bucks are a championship organization and I’m thrilled to work with an established roster of high-character and talented players,” Griffin said in a statement released by the team. “I’m excited to be back in Milwaukee and I can’t wait to get started.”

The 48-year-old Griffin began his first Milwaukee coaching stint after ending a nine-year NBA playing career that included stops with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets. Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics.

He also was an assistant with the Chicago Bulls (2010-15), Orlando Magic (2015-16) and Oklahoma City Thunder (2016-18) before joining Toronto’s staff.

“Adrian is a widely-respected coach and former player, who brings great leadership and experience to our team,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement.

“His championship-level coaching pedigree, character, basketball acumen and ability to connect with and develop players makes him the ideal choice to lead our team. He has earned this opportunity.”

Griffin faces the challenge of replacing a coach who led the Bucks to their first title in half a century.

Budenholzer coached the Bucks to a league-best 271-120 regular-season record in his five seasons and coached the 2020-21 Bucks to an NBA championship, their first since 1971.

The Bucks made the coaching change because their post-season fortunes hadn’t matched their regular-season success for most of Budenholzer’s tenure.

Milwaukee had the NBA’s best regular-season record three of Budenholzer’s five seasons but didn’t make it beyond the Eastern Conference finals in any of those three years.

The Bucks blew a 2-0 lead and lost 4-2 in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals to the eventual NBA champion Raptors during Griffin’s first season in Toronto. The Bucks fell 4-1 to Miami in the second round of the 2020 playoffs in the Walt Disney World post-season bubble.

This year, the Bucks lost 4-1 to Miami in the first round after going 58-24 in the regular season. They were just the sixth No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed in the opening round, and the only No. 1 seed that failed to win more than one playoff game.

References:

By: Associated Press
Title: Bucks make hiring of Adrian Griffin official, news conference set for Tuesday
Sourced From: www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/bucks-make-hiring-of-adrian-griffin-official-news-conference-set-for-tuesday/
Published Date: 06-06-2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Toronto Raptors'?

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) owns the team. MLSE is also the owner of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS’s Toronto FC, and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. The AHL’s Toronto Marlies and the Toronto Rock lacrosse teams are all part of MLSE.

When did the Raptors beat Chicago Bulls at the ABA?

The Raptors defeated the Chicago Bulls on March 24, 1996 to win the NBA Championship. The final score was 109-108. Michael Jordan tried to win for the Bulls with a last-minute shot but it didn't matter because it came after the final buzzer had sounded.

How did the Raptors win this year's NBA championship?

On July 18, 2018, the Toronto Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poltl, and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

On February 7, 2019, Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors) and Delon Wright-C.J. Miles, and a 2024 draft pick to Memphis Grizzlies were traded to Marc Gasol (another multiple All-Star player and former Defensive Player-of-the-Year) and Jeremy Lin shortly thereafter.

The Toronto Raptors had an exciting offseason. They made two major trades that shocked the NBA. DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poltl and a 2019 first round draft pick (that was not protected) were first traded by the Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs. They received Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs in exchange. They then traded Jonas Valanciunas for Delon Wright, C.J. Miles, and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol--another multiple All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year. These moves put the Raptors in a great position to compete for an NBA title this season. Let's examine each trade.

Kawhi Leonard trade was a risky move by the Raptors. Leonard is an MVP-caliber player when healthy, and he's a top-5 player in league. On the other hand, he only played 9 games last season due to injury, and there are questions about his long-term health. But the Raptors decided that it was worth the risk, and they signed the deal. Leonard is healthy so far and has been playing at an All Star level. He averages 26 points, 8 rebound, 3 assists, and 49% field goal shooting. His three-point percentage is 38%. If he can stay healthy, he gives the Raptors a real chance to win an NBA title this season.

The trade for Marc Gasol was more of a short-term move than anything else. Gasol, who is in his mid-30s, is clearly past his prime. He is still a great player and brings valuable experience to the young Raptors team. He averages 15 points and 8 rebounds per game. He also shoots 34% from three point range. C.J. Wright and Delon Wright were young assets the Raptors traded. Miles was acquired by Gasol. However, the Raptors believe his expertise will prove to be valuable during playoffs.

The Raptors started the season with a 6-0 record. They won their 16th game against Cleveland Cavaliers on November 23rd. This broke their franchise record of 20 consecutive wins. On December 1, they reached 20 wins faster than ever before. Also, after defeating Washington Wizards 140-138 in double overtime on January 13, the Raptors set a franchise record for scoring the most points in franchise history. The Raptors took precautions with Leonard and rested him for more 20 games to avoid worsening the injury. The Raptors still managed to capture the 2nd East seed, trailing only behind the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Raptors had a great run in the playoffs. They defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks to reach their first NBA Finals. Leonard was named Finals' MVP as the Raptors won the first title against the Golden State Warriors.

The Toronto Raptors had a very successful offseason, which has paid off in a big way. The Raptors are well-positioned to be contenders over the next few years, with two All-Stars. They have shown they are capable and willing to make bold moves as well as take risks when it comes to assembling a championship-level team. It will interesting to see if their success continues in the future.

Why is Toronto Raptors called Raptors

The NBA's expansion in Canada led to the 1995 founding of Toronto Raptors. The name and logo of the team were inspired by Jurassic Park's film. The team colours include bright red, purple and black as well as silver.

The Raptors had a difficult first season. They were 21-61 and struggled to make a name for themselves in the league. But the team improved each season and was able to reach the playoffs by 1999.

The Raptors' most memorable moment occurred in 2019, when they won their inaugural NBA championship title. Toronto won their first title in thrilling six-game series against Golden State Warriors under the leadership of Kawhi and Kyle Lowry, the Raptors' backcourt duo.

Since then, Canada's most loved sports team, the Raptors, have been an institution. Toronto continues to excite basketball fans from around the world, with international superstars and local talent.

Canada's proud heritage is represented by the Toronto Raptors. Their success on the courts inspires young basketball players all over the country. The Raptors are a beloved team in Canada thanks to their passion, unmatched style of play and dedication to excellence.

Statistics

As predicted by analysts, the team easily secured a berth in the 2001 NBA playoffs with a franchise-high 47 wins. (en.wikipedia.org)
After Thomas attempted to execute a letter of intent with Slaight to purchase the team failed, he resigned from his position in November and sold his 9 percent stake in the team to Slaight. (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in the new franchise". (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

How to get a Toronto Raptors authentic jersey

If you're a fan of the Toronto Raptors, there's nothing quite like owning an authentic jersey from the team. High quality jerseys are made using high quality materials. They have the same cut and designs as the players. There are several ways to purchase an authentic Raptors jersey, whether you want a modified version or a reproduction.

The official Toronto Raptors web store is the best and easiest option. The online store has a variety of jerseys, including those for men, women and children. You can even choose from home, away and alternate designs so that you're sure to get the look you want. The store also carries a range of accessories to complete your authentic Raptors game-day look.

If you're looking for something extraordinary, the Toronto Raptors team shop at Scotiabank Arena is worth a visit. This shop has a larger selection of jerseys and other team merchandise. Limited-edition items include autographed jerseys.

You can also find them online at many retailers if you want an authentic Raptors uniform. Make sure you do your research thoroughly and make sure the seller is legitimate before purchasing. Also, keep an eye out for special deals, discounts, and promotions that could save you money on your purchase.

A Toronto Raptors' jersey is more that just a piece or clothing. It's a symbol of pride for any sports fan. Fans treasure the jerseys of their favorite teams. But it's not just another piece of apparel. These jerseys carry a special meaning for their owners.

They represent a team that represents excellence in basketball. These jerseys are treasured by fans who have seen the players become stars and excel on the court.

In addition to watching the game, fans enjoy seeing the players play in person. It gives them a feeling of connection to the athletes.

Toronto Raptors jerseys make it easy to show support for your favorite players while you're enjoying the game.

Here's how to get a Toronto Raptors authentic jersey

Visit Official Stores and Retailers - To purchase a Toronto Raptors jersey, you should visit an official retailer or store like Nike, Adidas Fanatic, Mitchell & Ness, Fanatic, Mitchell & Ness, or Nike. These items are available at any sports shop.
Look for Authenticity - Every item should come with a certificate of authenticity. Check that the jersey matches the player's name and number. If there are stickers or patches, check them out. Check for any damage to the jersey.
Purchase Online - Even if your local store is closed, you might be able to order your jersey online. Be sure to get free shipping if you are purchasing from an online seller.
Wait for your Item. - Carefully take care of your jersey once it arrives. Do not wear it outside. You can only use it to watch the game. Never wash it.