NBA – First tensions at the Bucks, a star attacks the coach after the elimination!

Milwaukee Bucks NBA superstars Damian Lillard (left) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (right)Jersey Swaps (DR) / NBA (DR)

The sporting consequences remain relatively anecdotal, but Milwaukee’s defeat against Indiana in the semi-finals of the In-Season-Tournament seems to have dampened spirits in Wisconsin. A big name in the locker room would have directly confronted coach Adrian Griffin after the meeting…

If the Bucks players hoped to be able to cash an additional check for $500,000 by winning the In-Season Tournament, they will have to abandon this idea after tonight’s defeat against the Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo & co. were notably taken by the throat by a superb Tyrese Haliburton, the leader finishing the match with no less than 27 points and 15 assists on the clock.

However, despite this great performance from the young star, the Daims’ opponent was only sixth in the Eastern Conference while Adrian Griffin’s men are number 2, behind Boston. The coach’s management of the match was clearly not to everyone’s taste, as revealed by the Bleacher Report site. The tone would indeed have risen in the locker room after the final whistle:

Clash between Bobby Portis and Adrian Griffin after the defeat
After the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated from the NBA In-Season Tournament by the Indiana Pacers, forward Bobby Portis openly challenged coach Adrian Griffin and his teammates to improve, league sources said at Bleacher Report. Griffin entered the locker room and began emphasizing the importance of winning the rebounding battle, according to sources.

Portis, who scored four points on just five shots against Indiana in 18 minutes, which is almost a season low, quickly jumped in to emphasize how critical it is for Griffin to structure the offense late in games, according to sources. As the team’s leader, Portis continued to voice his concerns. Griffin welcomed the criticism and acknowledged he could do better by being more aggressive in his play choices, according to sources.

As we understand, the incident ended with an agreement between the two parties but it still remains worrying. Having arrived at the head of the Milwaukee group during the summer, Griffin has obviously not yet convinced all his players after around twenty meetings. However, the tactician is inevitably under pressure as his franchise aims for the title and for the fans, he should therefore start to feel the pressure:

Adrian Griffin on the clock.

— Brad Altman (@brad_altman) December 8, 2023

The clock is ticking for Adrian Griffin

The loss of a potential financial bonus aside, it seems that everything is not yet in place with the Bucks. the players feel it themselves, the systems put in place are perhaps not the right ones and changes will be necessary if they want to be able to fight for the title this season.