Mike Budenholzer
After a disappointing first-round exit in the hands of the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to part ways with Mike Budenholzer this summer. Two-time Coach of the Year winner and a one-time NBA champion, Budenholzer is one of the most respected coaches without a job right now.
Budenholzer’s lack of adjustments in the playoffs drew the ire of many fans. His failure to adjust against Jimmy Butler while getting destroyed by him all series was extremely frustrating. Yet, that shouldn’t take away from his accomplishments in his ten years as a head coach.
Both in his five years with the Atlanta Hawks and the five years with the Bucks, Budenholzer was able to create regular-season juggernauts. In 2014-15, he led a limited Atlanta Hawks group to 60 wins and helped the Milwaukee Bucks play a 50+ wins pace every single season. His win percentage of .604 is one of the best among active coaches.
There aren’t many coaches better than him at building a system. He is a master at shutting off the paint and protecting the rim, consistently creating elite defenses. His contribution in turning Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez into two of the best defenders in the NBA is undeniable.
He could do the same for the Washington Wizards, especially Bilal Coulibaly. The rookie could follow in the footsteps of Antetokounmpo and Budenholzer could provide that blueprint for him. Once a system is in place and everyone knows their role, it’s much easier for everything to fall into place. Player development will come first and regular-season wins will naturally follow.
The Wizards could do much worse than giving Mike Budenholzer the keys to the locker room.