On Thursday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks organization confirmed the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer, who led the team for five seasons and won the team’s first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021. After finishing the season with the league’s best record, he went first overall. In the playoffs, the Bucks only managed one win in a first-round series against the 8th-seeded Miami Heat. “The decision to make this change was extremely difficult,” Bucks president Peter Feekin and general manager Jon Horst read in a joint statement. “Bud helped lead our team to the Bucs’ first title in 50 years, and five incredible seasons to an era of consistent success. We are grateful for the winning culture and leadership that Bud helped create in Milwaukee,” the statement added. The Bucks became the first team since the 1968-1969 Bullets to have the best regular season record without winning any or only one playoff game. According to ESPN. “This is an opportunity to refocus and re-energize our efforts as we continue to build toward our next championship season,” the team statement said. Bucks assistant coach Mike Dunlap tweeted Thursday. “Unbelievable experience, rich w/ great friendships and fans second to none! Go Bucks!!!””As a lifelong Bucks fan, I will always consider Coach Bud a Bucks legend, for bringing home the title and putting on one of the best parties Milwaukee has seen in years. Thanks for everything, coach!,” tweeted Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Crowley is pictured carrying the Larry O’Brien championship trophy at the Bucks’ championship rally in downtown Milwaukee in 2021. “He’s more than a friend to me; a brother. It’s just unfortunate,” Hamm added when winning the championship. Budenholzer is the 3rd all-time coach in the last 4 NBA championships, according to ESPN. “We’re in this business,” Golden State Warriors head coach Steve said. Kerr said before Game 2 against the Lakers. “It will happen soon. The expectations are high for every team and only one team can win, so it’s sad news for the coaching industry.” “It’s very disappointing because Bud was a fantastic coach, won a championship and had a lot of success in his coaching career.” Kerr said. As the Bucs begin their search for Budenholzer’s successor, reactions from analysts and around the league are pouring in. “I think it’s a temporary thing for coach Budd,” ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose said. , “Based on his pedigree, I think he’s going to look for another job.” More reaction from around the NBA world: “When Chip doesn’t win, everyone here is firing championship coaches,” Portland Trailblazers point guard Damian Lillard tweeted. “Are we sure the Bucs season isn’t a failure?! It should be. Otherwise they wouldn’t have fired the head coach!!! Ignore me and get the hell out…” tweeted ESPN analyst and retired NBA center Kendrick Perkins.
The Milwaukee Bucks confirmed the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer on Thursday afternoon.
Budenholzer led the team for five seasons, winning the team’s first NBA Championship in 50 years in 2021. After finishing the season with the league’s best record and the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs, the Bucs were held to just one win in their first-round series. 8th with the Miami Heat.
“The decision to make this change was a very difficult one,” read a joint statement from Bucks president Peter Feekin and general manager John Hurst.
“Bud helped lead our team to the Bucs’ first title in 50 years, and five incredible seasons to an era of consistent success. We are grateful for the culture of success and leadership that Bud helped create in Milwaukee,” the statement added.
According to ESPN, the Bucks became the first team since the 1968-1969 Bullets to have the best regular season record without winning any or only one playoff game.
“This is an opportunity to refocus and re-energize our efforts as we continue to build towards our next championship season,” the team statement said.
“Life, indeed, is a box of chocolates. Proud to have worked for C. Butt, staff, players and Bucs organization,” Bucs assistant coach Mike Dunlap tweeted Thursday. “Unbelievable experience, great friendships and fans second to none! Go Bucks!!!”
“As a lifelong Bucks fan, I will consider Coach Budd a Bucks legend, for bringing home a title and throwing one of the best parties Milwaukee has seen in years. Thanks for everything, Coach!,” tweeted Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Included in this post are photos of Crowley hoisting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy at the 2021 Bucks Championship Rally in downtown Milwaukee.
“Winning a championship with him and being with him for nine years is unfortunate,” said Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darwin Hamm, who was an assistant under Budenholzer in Milwaukee.
“He was more than a friend to me; a brother. It’s unfortunate,” Hamm added.
According to ESPN, Budenholzer is the 3rd all-time coach in the last 4 NBA championships.
“This is the business we’re in,” Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said before Game 2 against the Lakers. Expectations are high for every team and only one team can win, so it’s sad news for the coaching industry.”
“It’s very disappointing because Bud is a fantastic coach, has won a championship and has had tremendous success in his coaching career,” Kerr said.
As the Bucs begin the search for Budenholzer’s successor, reactions are pouring in from analysts and around the league.
“I think it’s a temporary thing for coach Budd,” ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose said shortly after the decision was announced, “based on his pedigree, I think he’s going to look for another job.”
More reaction from around the NBA world:
Portland Trailblazers point guard Damian Lillard tweeted, “People around here fire championship coaches when Chip doesn’t win.”
“Are we sure the Bucs season isn’t a failure?! It should be. Otherwise they wouldn’t have fired their head coach!!! Never mind me and Gary the hell on…,” the ESPN analyst and retiree said. NBA center Kendrick Perkins tweeted.
