Bucks side with ‘failure’ and fire Mike Budenholzer: Best memes and tweets
By Scott Rogust
After their shocking first-round exit by the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks decided it was in their best interests to fire head coach Mike Budenholzer.
The 2022-23 Milwaukee Bucks were expected to make a deep run in the playoffs with the goal of winning their second NBA championship in three years. They were at an advantage, as they held the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and faced off against a Miami Heat team that had to play in two play-in tournament games to clinch the No. 8 seed.
But, the Bucks were shocked in the first round, losing in five games in what may be the biggest upset in recent NBA history.
Over a week since the Bucks’ elimination, the team decided that it was time to part ways with head coach Mike Budenolzer, firing him after five years with the team. He won the NBA title back in the 2020-21 season.
BREAKING: The Milwaukee Bucks dismissed coach Mike Budenholzer, sources tell ESPN. Budenholzer is out after the East’s top-seed suffered a first-round loss to the Miami Heat. pic.twitter.com/wQp0Zk3lxi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 4, 2023
Let’s take a look at some of the reactions to the rather surprising news of Budenholzer’s departure in Milwaukee.
NBA Twitter reacts to Bucks firing head coach Mike Budenholzer
With Mike Budenholzer now out in Milwaukee, 3 of the last 4 head coaches to win an NBA Championship are no longer with those teams. pic.twitter.com/X4uCjzeRTK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 4, 2023
Giannis after the Bucks lost to the Heat: “We didn’t make as many adjustments as we could against them."
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 4, 2023
This is the right call. Budenholzer is a solid coach but doesn't make enough changes in the playoffs going back to when he was with Atlanta. https://t.co/yY1Je20SQR
Mike Budenholzer as the Bucks coach:
— 𝐃𝐓 (@GianniGoat) May 4, 2023
263-119 (.688 win pct)
5 straight playoffs
2 conference finals
1 NBA championship
While it was time to move on and he did have his shortcomings, he helped take the Bucks to place they hadn't been in 50 years. Thanks for the memories, Bud. pic.twitter.com/7tR8UQcqCM
If the Mike McCarthy cycle is any indication, Budenholzer will be the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. https://t.co/rjE4TtqZmf
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) May 4, 2023
Bucks become the most attractive head coach opening available. Budenholzer should also quickly land another opportunity this offseason. https://t.co/t68jiezil0
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 4, 2023
Nick Nurse and Mike Budenholzer being fired during the same postseason would’ve been difficult to believe
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 4, 2023
I’m so disappointed with the the @Bucks organization for this move. There’s more to this story than just losing to the Heat. Under HC Mike Budenholzer the Bucks became relevant in the Association again. What a shame. https://t.co/kvUNOASURE pic.twitter.com/Tufz1qHbu4
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) May 4, 2023
In Game 5, there was criticism directed towards Budenholzer and his lack of adjustments against the Heat. Not to mention that he didn’t call a timeout at the end of regulation after Miami star Jimmy Butler’s clutch tying basket. In overtime, the Bucks lost 128-126 after Grayson Allen attempted a Eurostep shot that was after the buzzer.
Ahead of Game 4, Budenholzer found out that one of his three brothers tragically passed away due to injuries suffered in a car crash.
While the season didn’t end the way the Bucks had intended, they have experienced winning seasons under Budenholzer. In his five years in Milwaukee, Budenholzer owns a 271-120 win-loss record in the regular season and a 39-26 record in the playoffs. As mentioned earlier, Budenholzer helped lead the Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971 after they defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games after overcoming an 0-2 deficit back in 2021.
With Budenholzer out, where are the Bucks going to turn to next? Nick Nurse is one prominent name available after he was fired by the Toronto Raptors. But, as ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski points out, the Bucks are going to take their time in their search for a new head coach.
Next. 3 teams exposed in the NBA Playoffs that need a rebuild. dark