Bucks fire Griffin

[TheSultan]

What are the other options? Honestly? Doc Rivers, who has underachieved repeatedly with elite talent? Budenholzer again, who would've been fired had he not come back from down 2-0 twice?

There is no surefire bet. But there's the person who's been the best candidate in the league for years and has been passed up repeatedly because of her gender, then went and dominated the best job she could get. If Hammon was a man, she would already have a HC job in the NBA, there is zero doubt of that.

There are two reasons to not hire her: sexism and fear.

Look, I have no doubt that sexism plays a role here. But it's also a clear unknown element. She is a very good coach, but she took over a Las Vegas team that had back to back years as the first seed in the WNBA Western Conference - a proven veteran team. Yes, she took them to the next level, but that's really no different than what Bud did in Milwaukee.

My point isn't that she's a bad coach or doesn't deserve her chance on an NBA bench. But you are claiming something as a slam dunk when there are other factors involved.

And like MuFan12, I think this is a bad place to put a rookie coach. I'm not a huge fan of Doc as a coach, but he is a great locker room guy, and my guess is they need that right now more than anything.

[MUfan12]

Yes, I'm afraid to hire another rookie head coach. Male or female.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Now there are reports that it's not Doc.

[2012Warrior]

I'm guessing it will end up being Doc and they don't want to announce it so soon.

I don't know that you throw Becky Hammon into this whirlwind. It was bad enough with one first time head coach. I'd prefer Doc who has seen it all in the NBA. Atkinson seems like another potential. I think he was the runner up to Griffin and seems to be pretty innovative.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Bill Simmons apparently said it was Doc and they had a podcast together, so if it's not pen to paper done, it still seems likely that an agreement has been reached.

[shaquilvaine]

Griffin clearly had lost the team and there were red flags. Terry Stotts resigning so early, Giannis asking him to abandon his defensive philosophy and go back to their drop defense with Lopez protecting the rim, and Portis calling out the coach in front of the team after the In season tournament loss to the pacers. Portis apparently said they weren't running any set plays down the stretch and needed more direction. One thing Doc will bring is he will be immediately respected by the team. They need to change the culture and he will do that.

[Marquette]

Griffin lost the team
Can't hire another rookie
Take a chance on a female coach? Will players respond to her? Will players listen to her when she yells at them and criticizes them?

Whether its a male or female that is a really big chance to take with so much on the line. Bucks just took a chance on an unproven coach and it cost them millions.

[TheSultan]

I have no doubt that NBA players would respond to a female coach if she were competent. Just like any male coach. These guys want to be coached and they want to win.

[DCwarrior]

Looks like Doc to Bucks is final now. Based on his prior coaching history - we should expect the Bucks to lose a game 7 in the Conference Semifinals

[2012Warrior]

Looks like Doc to Bucks is final now. Based on his prior coaching history - we should expect the Bucks to lose a game 7 in the Conference Semifinals

"Bucks in 6, since we will lose in 7"