FILE – New Milwaukee Bucks NBA basketball head coach Adrian Griffin speaks after being launched at a information convention June 6, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Picture/Morry Gash, File)
SAUKVILLE, Wis. — New Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin says he’s trying ahead to forming an excellent partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, though the two-time league MVP plans to carry off on signing a contract extension with the crew.
Antetokounmpo informed The New York Occasions final month that he wished to see how dedicated the Bucks are towards successful one other championship earlier than deciding whether or not to signal a long-term deal to remain in Milwaukee. The 2-time MVP additionally famous the Bucks’ current teaching change and mentioned he wished to “see the dynamics” of how every thing works with the brand new workers earlier than making a choice.
“Giannis and I are on the identical web page,” Griffin mentioned Monday throughout a golf occasion benefiting the Milwaukee Bucks Basis. “Now we have an excellent relationship to date. He’s been nice to get to know. He needs to win, and I need to win. It’s that straightforward. I respect him. I respect what he’s completed on this league. We’re right here collectively to win. I’ve no downside with that. I feel it’s an excellent partnership. We’re going to steer the crew collectively. When he leads, the others will comply with. I feel it’s nice.”
Antetokounmpo’s contract runs by means of the 2024-25 season, with a participant choice for 2025-26.
FILE – Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball throughout the first half of Sport 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff collection towards the Miami Warmth, Monday, April 24, 2023, in Miami. Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo has undergone surgical procedure on his left knee throughout the offseason, however new Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin says the two-time MVP nonetheless ought to be out there throughout coaching camp. (AP Picture/Marta Lavandier, File)
Griffin additionally mentioned Antetokounmpo and ahead Khris Middleton are anticipated to be prepared for the beginning of coaching camp Oct. 3 after each underwent knee surgical procedures throughout the offseason.
“That’s the plan,” Griffin mentioned. “They’ve been working their butts off within the fitness center day by day and simply grinding. I feel a very powerful factor is to simply take it daily. That’s what they’re doing. It’s been terrific.”
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA title in half a century in 2021 however haven’t superior past the second spherical of the playoffs since. The Bucks owned the NBA’s finest regular-season file final season however misplaced 4-1 to the Miami Warmth within the first spherical of the playoffs.
After that gorgeous playoff loss, the Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer as coach and employed Griffin, who had spent the final 5 seasons as a Toronto Raptors assistant coach. Griffin mentioned Monday he understands the expectations that include this job, and he and Antetokounmpo have related targets.
“We’re aligned,” Griffin mentioned. “We’re right here to win. The one factor I talked to my crew and our workers about is simply embracing expectations. Now we have a extremely good roster. As an alternative of operating from it, we need to embrace it.”
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