Former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts has a new job and fans on his team are over the moon to have him on staff.
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Stotts is set to join Adrian Griffin’s staff on the Milwaukee Bucks. It will be his third stint with the team and first since his dismissal as head coach in Milwaukee back in 2007.
“Terry Stotts is finalizing a deal to join Adrian Griffin’s new coaching staff with the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Stotts won 402 games and made eight straight playoff trips as Portland’s coach. He was the Bucks’ coach for 146 games, ending in 2007,” Woj wrote.
Terry Stotts is finalizing a deal to join Adrian Griffin’s new coaching staff with the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Stotts won 402 games and made eight straight playoff trips as Portland’s coach. He was the Bucks’ coach for 146 games, ending in 2007.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2023
Stotts served as head coach of the Trail Blazers from 2012 to 2021, becoming the second-winningest coach in franchise history. He led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2019 – their first appearance in 20 years.
Not only are Bucks fans excited to be adding a coach with over 400 wins and tons of playoff experience to their roster, some are speculating that this hire could be the catalyst to landing Stotts’ longtime star, Damian Lillard.
W
— ਸਨੀ (@SunnyB0120) June 3, 2023
LFG
— arynn 🦌🏆 (@MilwaukeeMamba) June 3, 2023
WE GETTING DAME
— Willie (@WillieStrokerWI) June 3, 2023
It’s gonna actually happen pic.twitter.com/GdONLL2GLV
— x – Kenny (@Kennyduhballern) June 3, 2023
The Bucks fired NBA title-winning coach Mike Budenholzer at the end of the 2022-23 season. Getting back to the top of the Eastern Conference, let alone the NBA, will require more than just some good coaching from Griffin and Stotts though.
Will the Bucks return to the playoffs next season?