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It appears the end of the Jason Kidd era is finally here. According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski, the Milwaukee Bucks have fired their head coach.
Milwaukee has fired coach Jason Kidd, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 22, 2018
Bucks assistant coach Joe Prunty will be installed as interim coach, league sources tell ESPN. He will coach Bucks against Phoenix tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 22, 2018
That report was later confirmed by Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post.
I can confirm the @wojespn report: Jason Kidd has been fired as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 22, 2018
Kidd’s firing comes after the team fell to 23-22 following a loss to the Philadelphia Sixers on Saturday night. There was much debate over Jason Kidd’s tenure in Milwaukee, particularly regarding his defensive scheme and overplaying of players, most notably Giannis Antetokounmpo who leads the league in minutes played per game.
In the meantime, the Bucks will be led by assistant coach Joe Prunty, who previously served as interim head coach in 2015-16 when Kidd was away from the team to attend to a health issue. Under Prunty, the Bucks played 17 games and went 8-9. Kidd’s official record with the Milwaukee Bucks ends at 139-152.
I had expected an offseason change, but falling to 8th pushed the Bucks to act now. This will likely become most sought-after job in the league over summer. https://t.co/eDEUYXQfDd
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) January 22, 2018
UPDATE! The Bucks released an official statement, and specifically did not state that Joe Prunty would be given the head coaching position for the remainder of the season, only that he would coach the team tonight against the Suns.
Relevant section of the press release pic.twitter.com/XXsihNvTAc
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) January 22, 2018