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Milwaukee Bucks: Sean Sweeney to reportedly remain on coaching staff

By Adam McGee

ST. FRANCIS, WI - NOVEMBER 09: Sean Sweeney of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball to players during an all access practice on November 9, 2016 at the Milwaukee Bucks Training Center in St. Francis, WI. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
ST. FRANCIS, WI - NOVEMBER 09: Sean Sweeney of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball to players during an all access practice on November 9, 2016 at the Milwaukee Bucks Training Center in St. Francis, WI. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Long-time Milwaukee Bucks assistant Sean Sweeney will reportedly remain with the team and take his place among Mike Budenholzer’s new coaching staff.

As news continues to trickle out regarding the shape of Mike Budenholzer’s coaching staff with the Milwaukee Bucks, the latest report suggests that a familiar face will retain his role in spite of the recent regime change.

According to Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sean Sweeney will remain with the Bucks as an assistant coach, having previously worked closely alongside Jason Kidd in both Brooklyn and Milwaukee.

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The decision to retain Sweeney isn’t necessarily surprising, but will likely draw warranted mixed responses from across the fanbase considering the coach’s central role in shaping and overseeing the Bucks’ porous and controversial defensive scheme in recent seasons.

In many ways, Sweeney fits the profile of Budenholzer’s staff, though. Much like many of the assistant coaches reportedly joining Budenholzer in making the move from Atlanta to Milwaukee, Sweeney is in his early-30s and has worked his way up the ranks having started as a video co-ordinator — a career path that mirrors Budenholzer’s own coaching journey.

Under Budenholzer’s guidance, Hawks players had previously spoken about the benefits of working alongside younger assistants too. Speaking to Bleacher Report for an article about a shift to younger coaching staffs around the league, Tim Hardaway Jr. specifically referred to Charles Lee’s role.

"“Last year, when I really wasn’t playing, I was just playing a lot of three-on-three, four-on-four with Charles Lee and some of our assistants. That’s how we get better. You get the run in, but also they play you certain ways that force you to improve your weaknesses and learn how to read different coverages.”"

Perhaps most significant in ensuring Sweeney’s stay with the Bucks was the fact he has operated in a similar capacity alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in recent years.

In spite of a very high profile dispute between the pair last season, Antetokounmpo has made no secret of his respect for Sweeney, and the assistant coach has frequently been reported as accompanying the Greek on various offseason trips around the world in recent years, providing him with the chance to work on his game.

It would seem unlikely that Sweeney would have the kind of prominent role and voice under Budenholzer that he had under Kidd, yet that remains to be seen.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Five Hawks assistants reportedly joining Mike Budenholzer’s staff

At least anecdotally, much of Sweeney’s best work seems to come in the form of player development, and on a staff with a defined focus in that regard, maybe he’ll have a chance to thrive with different responsibilities.

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