Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has broken his silence on the recent news of the team’s head coach, Mike Budenholzer, being fired.
Despite having the NBA’s best record, the team’s season ended during the first round of the playoffs which cost Budenholzer his job. Antetokounmpo recently shared a tribute to his former coach on Instagram.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Shared A Tribute To Mike Budenholzer On Social Media
The Bucks star shared two photos on Instagram in honor of his former coach captioned, “Thank you for five meaningful years Coach. We accomplished something unbelievable and I’m forever grateful. 
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Many Bucks fans dropped into the comment section to leave their thoughts on the firing.
“Coach Bud got us a championship (something the bucks haven’t had in 50 years) annnnd into the playoffs the last two years in a row, on top of losing his brother during the playoffs this year. Firing him was a mistake 
,” one person wrote.
Another added, “The owners made a wrong move getting rid of that coach.”
The overall theme of the comments was disgust over firing Budenholzer, 53.
A quick scroll through the comments doesn’t show anyone happy about the change and many feel things will take a turn for the worse for the Bucks without Budenholzer. Some fans even predicted that Antetokounmpo will request a trade and said that’s something he should do.
Mike Budenholzer Was Fired After The Team’s Loss In The Opening Round Of The 2023 NBA Playoffs
Jon Horst, the Buck general manager issued a statement after the news broke that Budenholzer was fired.
“The decision to make this change was very difficult. Bud helped lead our team for five incredible seasons, to the Bucks’ first title in 50 years, and into an era of sustained success,” Horst said.
“We are grateful for the culture of winning and leadership that Bud helped create in Milwaukee. This is an opportunity for us to refocus and re-energize our efforts a we continue building toward our next championship season.”
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Under Budenholzer’s leadership, the franchise won their first NBA championship since 1971. During his five seasons as the team’s head coach, Budenholzer had a 271-120 record in the regular season, according to the New York Post.
Budenholzer shared a statement on his Instagram page along with a carousel of photos captioned, “Thank you Milwaukee! Great memories, great team, great men, great city. – Coach Bud.”
“It’s been an incredible five years for me and my family. The city of Milwaukee and the entire Bucks organization took us in and treated us like we were part of their own family. Every door that was opened, every corner that was turned, every need that was met for the entire five years helped us find our way and become part of the city,” Budenholzer began his online statement.
“The warmth of the people and the friendships we found here, gave life more meaning and purpose where it probably matters most…at home or around a table breaking bread.”
His statement continued to address that together as a team, they won a lot, including an NBA Championship, the first in 50 years.
“The memories of the parade, watching the entire city celebrating with the players and staff as the buses made their way through the streets of Milwaukee, that is something we will all cherish forever,” he continued.
He concluded his statement on the third Instagram slide.
“It has been an honor to do this job. To have a place in the history of the city, the history of the Bucks organization, for that, I will be forever grateful. In my mind, there was no better place to work than for The Bucks, and for Milwaukee,” he wrote. “Thank you….It’s time for a beer…and some sun on one of the lakes. Best, Coach Bud.”
Tons of gratitude poured into the comment section of the post thanking him for his time in Milwaukee and all he’s done for the team.
“Thank you for all you did for the Bucks coach Bud! I will never forget the memories I made watching the Bucks win it all that summer. Good luck on your future endeavors and enjoy that beer- you deserve it,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Thank you for everything coach Bud! You made history here. Grateful for what you brought. Wish the absolute best to you.
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