Fansided

Bucks’ hiring Mike Budenholzer will take Giannis to the next level of superstardom

By Brendon Kleen

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Mike Budenholzer has reached an agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks to become the franchise’s next head coach and it’s a perfect one.

Milwaukee fired coach Jason Kidd on Jan. 22 after losing four of five games despite an early season trade for Eric Bledsoe and an MVP-quality season from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Interim coach Joe Prunty led the team to a 21-16 record and took them to Game 7 of their first round series against the Boston Celtics.

Atlanta granted Budenholzer permission to interview with the Suns shortly after the end of the regular season before parting ways officially on April 25 when Budenholzer walked away from Phoenix’s offer. Budenholzer was in the running for the Knicks and Raptors jobs in addition to Milwaukee’s vacancy.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported Wednesday morning that Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton ate breakfast with Budenholzer in Milwaukee this morning, and the deal was finished by mid-afternoon.

Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news of Budenholzer accepting the Bucks job.

The problem for the Bucks the last two seasons has been their inability to incorporate a style and build a roster that complements Antetokounmpo. In his fifth season, the Greek Freak has developed into a two-way monster and one of the top 10 players in the NBA. Molding a championship team around him will be Budenholzer’s immediate task.

Defensively, Kidd was too aggressive trying to build a scheme that capitalized on Antetokounmpo’s outrageous length and athleticism. Despite Antetokounmpo finishing fourth in the league in Defensive Box Plus-Minus last year, the Bucks’ defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in points allowed per 100 possessions.

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The Bucks have the talent to compete for a top seed if they play a style that unlocks their freakishness. Budenholzer’s philosophies, which call for ball movement, defensive energy and cohesiveness from his teams, should help Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee improve quickly.

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