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Marc Stein: UPDATE: League sources tell @TheSteinLine that Orlando is indeed adding Bucks assistant Joe Prunty as well as God Shammgod to Jamahl Mosley’s coaching staff … on top of on-court additions Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones and the draft selections of Jase Richardson and Noah Penda.
Jim Owczarski: #Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has finalized his coaching staff. Along with adding Darvin Ham, Greg Buckner and Jason Love this offseason he has hired Spencer Rivers as well (former Detroit asst.) Joe Prunty and Vin Baker remain from last season's staff.
So when we’ve had these talks in the past, the mood is typically pretty hopeful and optimistic. But this feels different, like a really challenging, probably frustrating, experience where you’re trying to push through and grow to get to where you all want to go. How different is this for you? Giannis Antetokounmpo: What do you mean? The Damian Lillard integration. The coaching situation. You’ve already talked about all the change and how you’ve never had to take on this much leadership before. Antetokounmpo: Yeah, it’s … it’s … it’s hard. I feel like for me, this has been the hardest season that I’ve played — not only physically, because I had the procedure done on my left knee in the end of June. And I had to get back to myself. I feel like when the season started, I wasn’t (myself). And the reason was that I hadn’t played basketball until like the second week of training (camp). I had to get back to being by myself. But emotionally, and mentally, it’s been draining. I’m not going to lie to you. It’s been extremely tough, from Coach Bud (Mike Budenholzer) being let go (after the Bucks fell to Miami in the first round of the playoffs) to Coach Griff (Adrian Griffin) coming in, being let go, then (interim) Coach Joe (Prunty) for three games, Coach Doc (Rivers) coming in, and then you have Dame. It’s been tough. But at the end of the day, I think when you face adversity in life, that’s when you excel the most. So I’m just trying to, as a leader, as a basketball player, as a person, just trying to do what I do, keep on enjoying the game of basketball, keep on hanging in there, keep on trying to improve my game, doing the right thing. And hopefully, step by step, I get where I want to go and I’m able to help the team get where we want to go.
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The Bucks instead hired Rivers on Jan. 26 to replace Joe Prunty, who was named interim head coach after the Bucks fired Adrian Griffin on Jan. 23. Rivers coached his first game in Denver on Jan. 29. The Bucks remained on the road for four games after that before returning to Milwaukee on Feb. 8. They’ve gone 3-7 with Rivers at the helm. "The end game is what we’re playing for," Rivers added. "And the organization felt strongly that a change needed to be made defensively and things like that, and that’s what we’re doing. The problem is, while you’re doing that, you’re in the middle of the season on the toughest trip." "I’ve been in Milwaukee [for] four days," he added. "I’ve had the job for three weeks."
Bobby Marks: This is the third time (2nd year in a row) Joe Prunty has been named an interim HC: - Milwaukee (Jason Kidd) - Atlanta (Nate McMillan) - Milwaukee (Adrian Griffin)
The Milwaukee Bucks have completed their assistant coaching staff by hiring Terry Stotts, Joe Prunty, Patrick Mutombo, DJ Bakker and Nate Mitchell, retaining Vin Baker and Josh Oppenheimer, and promoting Sidney Dobner. Dobner becomes the first female assistant coach in Bucks history. “We’ve assembled a coaching staff that’s complete with high character, competence, and creativity,” said Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin. “I’m excited to bring the experienced and talented duo of Terry and Joe back to Milwaukee, and to welcome Patrick, DJ and Nate onto our staff. Additionally, I’m really pleased that Vin and Josh are returning, and thrilled to reward Sidney with this opportunity. She’s earned it.”
Joe Prunty, Patrick Mutombo join Adrian Griffin's coaching staff in Milwaukee
Adrian Wojnarowski: Joe Prunty and Patrick Mutombo are joining the Milwaukee Bucks as assistant coaches, sources tell ESPN. Prunty had been a Bucks interim HC (2018) and Hawks interim last season. Mutombo worked most recently under Monty Williams with Suns.
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Adrian Wojnarowski: Mutombo also worked with new Bucks coach Adrian Griffin in Toronto. Prunty and Mutombo join a staff that will also include Terry Stotts.
Lauren L. Williams: Couple players have popped out for Quin Snyder’s introductory presser. I’ve seen Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Trent Forrest along with some of the coaching staff, inc. Joe Prunty.
Kevin Chouinard: Prunty, on John Collins: "He is out tonight, but we are continuing through the protocol process."
Kevin Chouinard: Asked Trae about the last time Prunty "coached" him and he scored 56 in Portland while McMillan was in COVID protocol. He said it came up in conversation with Prunty and another player but smiled and said he wanted a win this time.
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