Giannis surprised by Griffin's firing

Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted he was caught off guard by the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to fire first-year head coach Adrian Griffin just 43 games into the season but said he understands the brass acted in the team's best interest.

"I've got to trust the front office, I've got to trust the ownership group that they consider the bigger picture," Antetokounmpo told reporters Wednesday after the Bucks' 126-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Jamal Collier. "My job is to be the best version of myself, to lead this team out there and help win games.

"Their job is to create the best team possible and the best atmosphere around the team possible that they believe gives us a better chance to win a championship. But yeah, I do think (firing coach Griffin) was a surprise."

The Bucks fired Griffin earlier this week despite guiding them to a 30-13 mark.

Milwaukee's rock-solid defense took a significant step back under Griffin, with its defensive efficiency dropping from fourth last season to 22nd at the time of the rookie head coach's dismissal.

Bucks players questioned Griffin's offensive and defensive schemes and strategies from game to game, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and Eric Nehm.

Antetokoumpo criticized the club's lack of defensive planning following a 122-116 loss to the Houston Rockets earlier in January.

However, the two-time MVP denied any animosity toward Griffin and rejected the notion that he asked the Bucks to fire the coach.

"I loved the guy. I invited him to my wedding," Antetokounmpo said Wednesday. "I was coached by him, and we did very, very, very well. When somebody is being hired, the GM might come and ask, 'What do you think about that? What do you think about this?' or whatever, and not just me - players, people that he trusts their advice. But at times, they make it seem like it's the players that are making the decision."