Bucks assistant coach Terry Stotts is stepping down from the role, just days after an incident between him and head coach Adrian Griffin that played out in front of the entire team.
Stotts was the Bucks head coach for parts of two seasons from 2005-07 and as an assistant from 1998-02, but his return to the role in present day only lasted four months.
There was an incident that happened between Stotts and Griffin at a shootaround on Tuesday in OKC that The Athletic has insider knowledge on.
“According to sources who witnessed Tuesday’s events, Griffin wrapped up the shootaround and called the team together for a huddle to close out the day and let the players get to post-shootaround shooting drills,” NBA insider Shams Charania wrote. “During that huddle, Griffin informed the coaches that he wanted to have a separate huddle with them once they wrapped things up.
“When the players and coaches broke the huddle, Stotts went in the opposite direction of the coaches’ huddle and instead started walking toward players to discuss the offense. As Stotts attempted to start a conversation with Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Griffin called to Stotts to join the coaching huddle. When Stotts asked for some time with the players, Griffin yelled for Stotts to join the coaches’ huddle. The incident occurred in front of the entire team, those sources said.”
After the team’s practice on Thursday, Griffin announced to the media that Stotts would be leaving the team effective immediately and that it was a shock.
“It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him,” Griffin said. “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.”
Griffin was asked if Stotts gave a reason for his leaving, to which Griffin replied, “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.”
Stotts has 13 years of head coaching experience with three different NBA organizations, including a nine-season stint with the Blazers.
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