On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks announced that they had dismissed head coach Mike Budenholzer following the team’s first-round playoff exit. The Bucks had been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, finishing with the best record in the NBA at 56-17.
Budenholzer had been the Bucks’ head coach since 2018 and had led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2019. He was also named the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2019. However, the Bucks were unable to advance past the first round of the playoffs this season, losing to the Miami Heat in five games.
The Bucks had high expectations for this season, as they had added several key pieces to their roster, including Jrue Holiday and PJ Tucker. However, the team struggled in the playoffs, as their offense was unable to get going and their defense was unable to contain the Heat’s perimeter shooting.
The Bucks will now begin their search for a new head coach. It is unclear who they will target, but it is likely that they will look for someone who can help them take the next step and reach the NBA Finals.
Budenholzer’s dismissal is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NBA. Just one year ago, he was being lauded as one of the best coaches in the league. Now, he is out of a job and the Bucks are searching for a new leader. It will be interesting to see who they hire and how they fare in the 2021-22 season.
