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 incredible partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, though the two-time league MVP plans to carry off on signing a contract extension with the workforce.
Antetokounmpo instructed The New York Occasions final month that he needed 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’ latest teaching change and stated he needed to “see the dynamics” of how all the things works with the brand new workers earlier than making a choice.
“Giannis and I are on the identical web page,” Griffin stated Monday throughout a golf occasion benefiting the Milwaukee Bucks Basis. “We’ve got an incredible relationship thus far. 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 achieved on this league. We’re right here collectively to win. I’ve no drawback with that. I believe it’s an incredible partnership. We’re going to steer the workforce collectively. When he leads, the others will observe. I believe it’s nice.”
Antetokounmpo’s contract runs by means of the 2024-25 season, with a participant possibility for 2025-26.
FILE – Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball in the course of the first half of Sport 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff sequence in opposition to the Miami Warmth, Monday, April 24, 2023, in Miami. Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo has undergone surgical procedure on his left knee in the course of 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 stated Antetokounmpo and ahead Khris Middleton are anticipated to be prepared for the beginning of coaching camp Oct. 3 after each underwent knee surgical procedures in the course of the offseason.
“That’s the plan,” Griffin stated. “They’ve been working their butts off within the gymnasium daily and simply grinding. I believe 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 document 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 stated Monday he understands the expectations that include this job, and he and Antetokounmpo have comparable targets.
“We’re aligned,” Griffin stated. “We’re right here to win. The one factor I talked to my workforce and our workers about is simply embracing expectations. We’ve got a very good roster. As a substitute of operating from it, we need to embrace it.”
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