In a surprising turn of events, Terry Stotts, the seasoned NBA coach, recently stepped down from his role as assistant coach under the leadership of rookie head coach Adrian Griffin with the Milwaukee Bucks, right before the commencement of the 2023-24 NBA season.
While Stotts’ departure raises questions about the circumstances that led to this unexpected decision, Griffin’s response emphasized his respect and admiration for Stotts.
“You’re going to have to ask Terry. He’s a great coach. I really enjoyed getting to know him. Terrific person. It was his decision. I just wish him the best,” Griffin said, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
“It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him. He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision – a personal decision – and we just have to respect that.”
According to reports by Eric Nehm and Shams Charania of The Athletic, a recent incident during team practice shed light on the potential complexities in the relationship between Griffin and Stotts, raising speculations about the dynamics that might have influenced Stotts’ resignation.
The report suggest that during a team huddle, Griffin called Stotts to come to coach huddle as he was walking to towards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to talk about offense. This occurred in front of the entire team and could have been taken unwell by the experiences coach.
Stotts’ resignation may be attributed to a combination of factors. One perspective suggests it could be the challenge of transitioning from a head coach to an assistant role after over a decade in the top seat.
Another perspective hints at a potential clash in the treatment and level of respect given to a coach of Stotts’ caliber.
