Milwaukee Bucks: Coaching overhaul must extend beyond top job

By Adam McGee | May 16, 2018

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 26: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

As the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly progress toward finding a new head coach, the importance of building a staff beyond that can’t be overlooked.

According to various reports, the Milwaukee Bucks have entered into the business end of their search process for a new head coach.

With Mike Budenholzer and Ettore Messina having both met with ownership for their second round of interviews on Tuesday, the hope and expectation has to be that the Bucks are nearing a final decision on who will be the team’s next head coach.

It goes without saying how important that is, and if everything goes swimmingly and the Bucks hire from one of those highly qualified candidates at the end of what was a generally smooth process, there’ll certainly be cause for relief, excitement and celebration both inside the organization and within the fanbase.

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What’s important to remember, though, is coaching doesn’t begin and end with the influence of the head coach. There was certainly a time when that was at least closer to being the case, but that’s not the NBA in 2018.

In making the decision to fire Jason Kidd and eventually initiate the current search, the Bucks signaled their intention to overhaul the team’s playing style, philosophy and entire approach to coaching. It could be described as a change of the team’s identity, if not for the fact the Bucks didn’t have an identity to begin with.

In order to find an identity of their own and a playing style that can allow them to leverage the advantages provided by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates, the Bucks needed a more innovative coach at the head of affairs. Barring innovation, clear direction and a unified message would even have acted as a start. Still, it’s important the organization and head coach don’t lose sight of the fact that appointment will only act as a start to that change.

Head coaches may get all of the attention and glory around the NBA, but it’s become increasingly impossible for them to be solely responsible for everything that a rigorous schedule and demanding competitive environment asks of them. Even if it’s still possible, it’s fair to say it’s inefficient for a coach not to utilize their assistants in a meaningful capacity.

Delegation is a key aspect of management in all walks of life, so why would the NBA be any different?

As a result, the influence of assistant coaches is more prevalent than ever around the league.

Lloyd Pierce, a long time assistant on Brett Brown’s 76ers staff who was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks this week stands as a particularly good example.

As Philadelphia compiled an outstanding season which saw them make colossal strides forward, much of the credit was given to their stellar defense, ranked third best in the NBA. While Brown did an outstanding job in overseeing the Sixers’ overall vision and approach, Pierce was empowered to be the voice and brain of the defense.

Although LeBron James may have ended their season unceremoniously in the playoffs, a similar influence was present in Toronto during the regular season. The Raptors completed a dramatic overhaul on the offensive end, re-shaping their mentality and play-style, all under the guidance of assistant coach Nick Nurse. That Nurse is now seen as one of the lead contenders for the now vacant head coaching spot in Toronto isn’t a surprise.

Another great example to be found among a team currently battling in the playoffs is Houston Rockets’ assistant Jeff Bzdelik. Mike D’Antoni‘s reputation as an offensive savant has never really been up for debate, but while he has continued to innovate on the offensive end, the Rockets have jumped from 21st in defensive rating prior to Bzdelik’s hiring up to sixth in two seasons with him on staff.

The examples of how assistants positively drive their team on and complement the skills of their head coach are plentiful. There’s at least half of the teams in the league where such examples could be provide. By all means it appears as if the Bucks have noticed that too, with Messina, Becky Hammon, James Borrego and Jay Larranaga all among the coaches who were either targeted or interviewed for Milwaukee’s head coaching job.

If the Bucks really want to move toward the front of the conversation in the NBA, they need to be more proactive and less reactive in that regard, though.

The identity of the head coach will undoubtedly define how a staff is filled, but the same level of attention and commitment should be applied to that process as is applied to filling the first seat on the bench.

If Budenholzer is hired, there’s a possibility former Buck Darvin Ham could continue to work alongside him as a lead assistant, as could many of the coaches from his highly respected staff in Atlanta.

If Messina ends up with the job, the process could be different, though. Would Spurs assistants or coaches from his time in Europe come to join him? It’s possible, but just as likely is a mix of fresh voices and different perspectives from around the league.

Regardless, it’s essential the Bucks show just as much interest, and potentially financial backing, when the process reaches that point.

A great head coach is an excellent start to shaping a new direction for the Bucks, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be further expedited by adding offensive gurus, defensive specialists and player development experts whose skills and personalities can complement the lead voice.

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Assistant coaches are far more than an avenue for giving former players a role in the franchise, and Milwaukee could certainly benefit from being proactive in building a top-class staff once they reach a decision on their new head coach.

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