Giannis Surprised by Bucks' Decision to Fire Adrian Griffin: 'I Loved the Guy'

Giannis Antetokounmpo was caught off guard by the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to fire head coach Adrian Griffin on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Antetokounmpo said he "loved the guy" and invited him to his wedding, but he trusts the front office's judgment to put the team in the best position to win:

"I've got to trust the front office, I've got to trust the ownership group that they consider the bigger picture. My job is to be the best version of myself, to lead this team out there and help win games. Their job is to create the best team possible and the best atmosphere around the team possible that they believe gives us a better chance to win a championship. But yeah, I do think [firing coach Griffin] was a surprise."

Per TNT Sports' Chris Haynes, Doc Rivers has agreed to a deal to become Milwaukee's next head coach.

Griffin was hired by the Bucks on June 5 to replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after the team's first-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat. Antetokounmpo reportedly vouched for the 49-year-old to get the job, though he disputed having any input on the actual hiring process.

"I was coached by him and we did very, very, very well," he said. "When somebody is being hired, the GM might come and ask, 'What do you think about that? What do you think about this?' or whatever and not just me—players, people that he trusts their advice. But at times, they make it seem like it's the players that are making the decision."

Despite their 30-13 record at the time of Griffin's firing, his fit with this version of the Bucks seemed to be off.

Per The Athletic's Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, the team's defensive drop-off and Damian Lillard's usage alongside Antetokounmpo were among the front office's concerns that led to Griffin's dismissal.

Some defensive decline was to be expected when Jrue Holiday was moved in the Lillard trade, but things have been rough on that end of the court. The Bucks rank 19th in defensive rating and 25th in points allowed per game.

They allowed at least 125 points in 16 games under Griffin, matching their total from the entire 2022-23 season.

Griffin had the best record of any head coach fired during the season since David Blatt was let go by the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 30-11 record midway through the 2015-16 campaign.