Scott Skiles Says ‘Normal Coach-Player Friction’ Existed in Milwaukee

Though it was clear that he was on his way out, Scott Skiles’ departure from Milwaukee came as a shock. Especially to Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, who was also upset that he had to find out from Skiles about the move instead of the team telling him first. Skiles won’t specify why he left the gig midway through the season, only saying that his relationship with Bucks players had a normal amount of “friction”. Per the Journal Sentinel: “Former Bucks coach Scott Skiles is out the door and he’s not firing back. But he does want to set the record straight on a few issues. How about that one circulating on social media Monday that he ‘hated his team.’ … ‘That’s an absolute lie,’ Skiles said. ‘If (the writer) has that information, it was given to him by somebody to demean me.’ […] So what did Skiles think of his team? The Bucks went 16-16 under his leadership this season and were tied for the seventh playoff position in the Eastern Conference, although they had lost four straight. ‘There’s always the normal coach-player friction that goes on,’ Skiles said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. ‘Guys at this level are great players. This is, as NBA teams go, this is a good group of guys.’ As for some of the commentary following his departure, Skiles said, ‘I leave it to other people to burn people in this league. There are a lot of shady people in this league.’ […] Skiles said he was engaged with the team and gave his full effort. He was working in the final year of his contract after not having the deal extended after last season. Did he want to be here? ‘That’s a question it’s not easy to answer,’ Skiles said. ‘Absolutely (he was committed). That’s the absolute bare minimum I owe the franchise.’ Skiles confirmed he was not offered an extension at any point since the season started. He finished four-plus seasons with the Bucks with a 162-182 record (.471 winning percentage), including a 46-36 record in his second season when the team reached the playoffs. The Bucks had losing marks in his other three seasons. ‘Ultimately if you’re some place three, four, five years, unless you enter into a full rebuilding mode, you will be judged on wins and losses,’ Skiles said. ‘It wasn’t good enough.'”