Bucks Zone

"Coach Joe did a great job" - Giannis Antetokounmpo is impressed with Joe Prunty’s performance as interim head coach

Giannis believes Joe is a head coach material.
Matthew Dugandzic|
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Milwaukee Bucks

Joe Prunty took over the coaching chores for the Milwaukee Bucks when Adrian Griffin was suddenly fired. For Giannis Antetokounmpo, Prunty did a marvelous job when he coached the Bucks for three games in an interim capacity.

"Coach Joe did a great job to take the responsibility for these three games," Giannis said after Milwaukee's 141-117 blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Prunty steered the Bucks to a 2-1 record when he assumed the post. Doc Rivers has been hired to replace Griffin and will make his debut as a Milwaukee coach when the Bucks play the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

Joe kept the Bucks together

Antetokounmpo said Prunty did an excellent job of keeping the Bucks together after the sudden coaching change.

"I think he had everybody in a good place. Our film session was simple, our practice was simple, our walk-through was simple, he gave us direction on what we're trying to do," Giannis said.

Milwaukee's first game with Prunty temporarily calling the shots was a 126-116 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bucks lost to the Cavaliers in their second meeting in three days, 100-112, but quickly bounced back with a dominant win over the Pelicans.

Giannis said that even with the loss to the Cavaliers, the Bucks actually played well.

"First game, I think we came in and played with a lot of energy. I think in the second game, in the first half, we played with a lot of energy. We were moving the ball; guys would be involved. Second half, we came out a little bit flat. They were able to take the lead and win the game, but I think we executed the game plan to the best of our ability. Third game in the back-to-back, same thing; we came in, gave us direction on what we're trying to do. We moved the ball," Antetokounmpo said.

Head coach material

Giannis acknowledged that Joe was put in a challenging situation when the coaching duties were delegated to him. But the Greek Freak said Prunty took the challenge gracefully, enabling the Bucks to post a winning record with him manning the sidelines.

"I've been with coach Joe for five years. His ability to be able to take this responsibility and be able to do it with grace it's unbelievable. I don't know; it's crazy to me that he's never been a head coach in this league. It's insane," Antetokounmpo concluded.

"You move forward, but it's not easy" - Interim HC Joe Prunty preaches resilient Bucks for edging the Cavs

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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.