Mike Budenholzer has been fired after five seasons as the Milwaukee Bucks head coach.
He had unprecedented regular-season success, leading the Bucks to the most victories in the NBA during his time as head coach, winning nearly 70% of the team’s games. He was coach of the year in 2019 and led the team in 2021 to the NBA championship.
But there were also early playoff defeats, none more disappointing than this year when the team lost in the first round as the No. 1 seed to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.
Here’s the reaction to Budenholzer’s dismissal, which happened eight days after that stunning series loss to the Heat:
Bucks management on the firing of Mike Budenholzer
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Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Mike Dunlap said he was ‘honored’ to have worked for Coach Bud
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Remembering Budenholzer led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021
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NBA championships do not equal long-term stability for coaches
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That baffles Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard
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The Bucks won just one game as the No. 1 seed in the first-round series loss to the Heat
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Who are the candidates to be the Bucks’ next head coach? Nick Nurse and Frank Vogel are suggestions.
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More: Who are potential candidates for the Milwaukee Bucks head coaching position to replace Mike Budenholzer?
NBA analysts, commentators weigh in on Mike Budenholzer’s firing
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More: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments about failure still have the sports world talking
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Damian Lillard baffled after Bucks fire Mike Budenholzer as head coach