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Milwaukee Bucks: The big questions following Jason Kidd’s departure

By Jack McCutchin

Milwaukee, WI - APRIL 27: A general view of the arena before the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI - APRIL 27: A general view of the arena before the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the departure of coach Jason Kidd, the Milwaukee Bucks have a few questions they need to answer.

After a remarkably eventful couple of days, there’s likely a number of questions on the tip of the tongue of all Milwaukee Bucks fans. The first question couldn’t be more simple, though.

So now what?

With the departure of now former head coach Jason Kidd, the Bucks have a few questions they need to answer.

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We know that Joe Prunty, former head coach of the Great Britain national team, will be at the helm for the remainder of the season and will also likely be in the conversation to earn the job going forward.

That being said, let’s dive into some of the questions that may come forward with this move that seemed long overdue to many.

Why now?

According to GM Jon Horst, this move was coming one way or another. When asked about the timing at a press conference on Monday, Horst responded, “Why delay the inevitable?”

As I write this, the Bucks are sitting in the seventh spot in the East with a 24-22 record, just half a game ahead of the eighth placed 76ers and half a game behind the sixth placed Pacers. That being said, making any big decision like this one is usually better left until the end of the season.

Have expectations changed now that Kidd is gone?

At the start of the season, the Bucks’ ownership made expectations clear for the team in the year ahead: Make the playoffs and win a first round playoff series.

Firing your head coach mid-season doesn’t often bode well for anyone, especially the players, who may now need to learn a new system, if Prunty chooses to put something different in place. Let’s hope he at least puts a stop to the Kidd-era defensive scheme, which was characterized by over-aggressive blitzing and trapping, and saw the Bucks post the 24th ranked defense, while also ranking 28th in opponent’s three-point percentage.

Personally, if Milwaukee stays put in seventh place, I don’t see the Bucks getting past the Raptors for the second consecutive year, as Toronto has only improved since last year. 

What could this mean for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future here in Milwaukee?

Multiple reports suggested that Giannis was “devastated” when he heard the news of Kidd’s firing, and that he even offered to help his now former coach save his job with a few phone calls. That has created a belief for many that this may hinder Milwaukee’s ability to retain the superstar once his contract is up, but at this point that seems ridiculous.

Winning games changes everything, and if the Bucks can reach a point where they are consistently winning games and playoff series, any doubts about staying in Milwaukee will likely fade.

Related Story: Milwaukee Bucks: Jason Kidd’s firing doesn’t affect Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future

Who’s next?

Perhaps the most interesting part of all this is who will be the next long-term head coach of the Bucks. As mentioned above, Joe Prunty will be the Head Coach of the team until the season is over.

Though possible, I don’t see Prunty remaining the head coach following this season. Potential head coach options include former David Fizdale, Ettore Messina, Monty Williams and Ime Udoka. A few other names being thrown into the mix are Jerry Stackhouse, Becky Hammon and even Sam Cassell.

This development will definitely be something to keep your eye on over the summer. I personally would love Udoka or Fizdale for the job.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich had this to say about his assistant Ime Udoka:

"“He exudes a confidence and a comfort in his own skin where people just gravitate to him. He’s a fundamentally sound teacher because he’s comfortable with himself, he knows the material and players read it. Often times, I’ll say, ‘Ime, can you go talk to so-and-so? Go talk to Patty Mills, go talk to Timmy, go talk to Kawhi.’ And he’ll do it better than I would do it — and I’m not blowing smoke.”"

David Fizdale was suddenly fired by the Grizzlies following an apparent dispute with star Marc Gasol. Perhaps the most obvious candidate, many players that have worked under Fizdale came forward to defend him and offer support following the news of his firing, most notably LeBron James.

If hired, he’d be a grand-slam hire for the Bucks.

Next: Win In 6 Podcast #178: Goodbye, Jason Kidd

While in the immediate aftermath of the news we’re still in the question phase of processing the change, within the space of the next few months, answers will start to emerge and things may begin to look very different in Milwaukee.

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