Giannis Antetokounmpo 'Forever Grateful' for Mike Budenholzer After Bucks Firing
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed appreciation for former head coach Mike Budenholzer on Tuesday.
In the wake of the Bucks firing Budenholzer last week, Giannis took to Twitter to thank the two-time NBA Coach of the Year:
Budenholzer spent five seasons as the Bucks' head coach, posting a 271-120 record during the regular season and leading Milwaukee to an NBA championship in 2021.
After Budenholzer led the Atlanta Hawks to the playoffs four times in five seasons, he joined the Bucks in 2018 and immediately led them to a 60-22 mark.
Milwaukee reached the playoffs in each of Budenholzer's five seasons at the helm, won 50 or more games four times and won at least one playoff series in four of his five seasons with the team.
That latter streak came to an end this season when the top-seeded Bucks were shocked by the No. 8 Miami Heat in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo missed two games in the series because of injury, and the Bucks never found their footing—nor could they figure out a way to stop Heat star Jimmy Butler.
The Bucks had the best record in the NBA this season and entered the playoffs as the favorite to win it all. Despite all of the team's success under Budenholzer, the decision was made to part ways with him in the wake of such a disappointing result.
While things did not end as hoped for Budenholzer and the Bucks, Giannis has a clear appreciation for the coach, and it is easy to understand why when considering how much he blossomed as a player once Budenholzer arrived.
In each of Budenholzer's first two seasons as head coach of the Bucks, Antetokounmpo won the NBA MVP award. He has finished fourth or better in the voting in each of the past three seasons as well.
Additionally, Giannis won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2021 when the Bucks came from behind to beat the Phoenix Suns for the NBA championship.
With Giannis leading the way and surrounded by a supremely talented supporting cast of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and potentially Brook Lopez if he re-signs, Milwaukee's head coaching job is by far the most sought-after position in the NBA.
Budenholzer promises to be a hot candidate in the coaching carousel as well, but it would be essentially impossible for him to land in a spot as favorable as the one he had with the Bucks.
