Bucks Zone

Giannis Antetokounmpo denies having a hand in the firing of Adrian Griffin

The Greek Freak says he and coach Griff always had a good relationship.
Matthew Dugandzic|
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Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo removed his name from speculations that he had something to do with the firing of coach Adrian Griffin.

Giannis addressed the issue shortly after he led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 126-116 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, where he completed his seventh triple-double of the season with 35 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists.

Giannis shocked by Adrian's exit

Reports had it that Giannis' relationship with Adrian had soured and that it played a huge role in the sudden firing of Griffin just 43 games into his run with the Bucks.

In shooting down such a notion, the Greek Freak said he himself hates seeing players or coaches unceremoniously dismissed.

"This is the thing I don't like about the NBA. It's a crazy business. Yesterday, coach Griff was our head coach. Today he's not. I don't like that about the NBA, and I speak openly about it. But I understand it. It's a business. People being traded, people being waived, people have to change their whole lives just like that," said Giannis.

Debunking false narratives

What's worse with the sudden departure of players or coaches are false accusations, Giannis lamented.

"And out there, people creating a narrative that's not accurate. But I'm a person that I really try not to fall into it. I refuse to fall into the bubble of 'Oh! this is accurate' or 'Oh! this is not accurate' because always there's going to be something out there about me, about the team. Like, 'Oh! he did not have a good relationship with Griff.' False," Giannis said.

Antetokounmpo insisted that he had no beef with Griffin.

"I loved the guy. I invited him to my wedding, you know? I talked with him. I was coached by him, and we did very, very very well," the two-time MVP said.

"But at times, they make it seem like it's the players that are making the decision, and this guy got traded because he wanted him, but like, no. I have a job. My job is to be the best version that I can be and try to lead this team to win games. Like that is why I get paid. I don't get paid to change people's lives and make people uncomfortable. I get paid to defend, block shots, and I try to stick to that as much as I can," he added.

While he admitted that the team consults him with some things, The Greek Freak pointed out that the ultimate decision always comes from the management

"I was not involved in hiring of coach Griff. I talked with him the same way I talked with coach Bud (Mike Budenholzer). But nobody said I was involved," Giannis concluded. 

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.