Head coach Mike Budenholzer will face severe pressure from Milwaukee Bucks fans if he fails to swap dated tactics for more exciting NBA in the new season.
According to The Athletic journalist Shams Charania, Budenholzer has his job reviewed at the Bucks.
“Mike’s status as the team’s coach is pretty uncertain, in short. There is a doubt about his permanence, even though he still has two years left on his contract.” Charania said.
“The lack of adjustments in the series against the Miami Heat, first of all, is what is discussed internally. In particular, the defensive alternatives to face a packaged Jimmy Butler.” Charania added.
Other issues from the last game against the Heat have an impact on the team’s vision.
Jae Crowder, who was bought by the Bucks at the trade deadline, did not play in the crucial game.
Moreover, the team ended regular time and overtime with call times. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra expressed shock at the issue.
“The franchise has new majority owners and, now, important decisions need to be made.” Spoelstra said.
“There’s a legitimate sense of shock and, more than that, internal embarrassment at the elimination.
“It’s a feeling that involves, above all, the dressing room and the players. This is certainly not how the season should end for Milwaukee.” Spoelstra added.
The issue of changes has gotten a lot of attention due of statements made by star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The winger was elegant but very clear in his criticism of the coach’s decisions.
He said the team could have been a lot less traditional in their approach to the Heat or simply try other alternatives, even with little chance of success.
“I don’t think as a team we’ve made the right adjustments during the series. We do not carry out the number of adjustments, moreover, necessary.” Antetokounmpo said.
“I would have liked to mark Jimmy more, for example. But you need to respect our coach’s decisions.
“We had our best defender on him. Jrue is competitive, plays hard and embraced the challenge.” he added.
