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Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Terry Stotts is stepping down, only four months after he returned to the team, a league source said. Here’s what you need to know:

What was Stotts’ role with the Bucks?

After sitting out from coaching for two seasons, Stotts, 65, joined the Bucks’ coaching staff at the start of Adrian Griffin’s tenure in Milwaukee to help run the offense. Stotts’ offensive expertise was a useful contrast to Griffin’s defensive focus as a coach, but the hire ended up being even more beneficial when the team traded for Lillard, the superstar point guard Stotts coached for nine seasons in Portland.

In recent weeks, Lillard had discussed how the transition to Milwaukee was easier for him because many of the sets they were running with the Bucks were things he had already run in Portland with his former coach. Lillard also was helping his new teammates better understand some of the concepts. — Eric Nehm, Bucks writer

How will this impact Lillard?

I don’t expect this to have much of a long-term impact on Lillard’s acclimation to the Bucks, but in the short term, Stotts’ departure will likely take away a built-in comfort for Lillard. The two viewed offense similarly — that players are better when they are trusted to make decisions on the fly, and when the robotics of set plays are replaced by flow. It was likely a luxury for Lillard to have Stotts to lean on in the opening weeks.

In the big picture, though, we are still talking about an offense with two of the top 75 players of all-time — Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo — and the duo will figure out how to run the pick-and-roll regardless of which assistant is on the bench. — Jason Quick, Trail Blazers writer

What the Bucks have said about him

In a recent news conference, Lillard said his teammates often ask him questions about the offense since he previously played for Stotts.

Lillard told The Athletic how being familiar with Stotts’ offense has helped him with his transition in Milwaukee.

“It’s all familiar. That’s a positive. …. Coming to a new situation and having a staff be new as well and being as familiar as I am with Terry, I recognize a lot of what he wants to accomplish with the sets that he wants to run. I recognize the sets themselves, so I’m familiar with how I can make plays and put guys in a position to do what they need to do and also where I can find myself within that, so it’s been smooth, actually.”

At the time of Stotts’ hiring, Griffin said Stotts would be “someone that I lean on.”

“To get a guy like Terry is a home run. He brings unbelievable experience. And yes, he is a mastermind on the offensive end, but he’s well-versed. He brings a wealth of experience. He’s coached elite players in Lillard and (CJ) McCollum, so I don’t just see him as an offensive coach. He’s going to be someone that I lean on.”

Backstory

Stotts’ assistant-coaching experience includes stints with Seattle (1993-98), Atlanta (2002), Golden State (2004-05), Dallas (2008-12) and Milwaukee. He also was head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2002 to 2004.

During his time in Portland, Stotts led the Blazers to eight consecutive postseason berths, including the team’s first trip to the Western Conference finals in 19 years in 2019 and a 402-318 regular season record. He holds a career head-coaching record of 517-486 in the regular season.

Required reading

(Photo: Troy Wayrynen / USA Today)

’Tis Dining Month, the tastiest time of year! This means we’re dishing up fun and fascinating food content throughout October. Dig in, Milwaukee! OnMilwaukee Dining Month is served up by Educators Credit Union and Potawatomi Casino Hotel.

Looking for new spots to try? During Dining Month, Lori Fredrich is dishing out must-tries in 20 different dining categories, from brunch to BBQ and everything in between. Here's what she's recommended so far!

Sometimes you need a bit of Southern comfort in your life. But, let’s be clear. Soul food isn’t a term that describes just any Southern fare. It’s an expression that specifically describes and celebrates the culinary traditions of Black Americans in the deep South. It is immigrant cuisine that reflects the culinary traditions of West Africa, Western Europe, and the Americas. It is the product of ingenuity and culinary expertise which has been passed down through the generations. And it is delicious.

If you’ve never supported a soul food eatery, consider this your invitation to explore, support and try something new. Here are a number of solid places to start.

1700 Pull Up

1848 W. Fond du Lac Ave., (414) 899-0005 1700pullup.com [Read more] Menus at 1700 Pull Up change from week to week (they're posted on Facebook), but guests can count on luscious turkey legs (regular or jerk) with toppings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, gumbo or housemade alfredo (with add-ons like catfish, lamb, steak, shrimp and chicken) on Fridays and a full-on soul food menu on Sundays. Depending on the week, you can choose from entrees like smothered pork chops, fried chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, fried catfish or turkey meatballs and gravy served over pasta.

Dishes are well-seasoned, portions are hefty and side dishes – including options like braised greens with turkey, Liquid Gold mac & cheese, Sweet Rie Kandy yams, chicken dressing and green beans with a kick – are just as good as the entrees.

Daddy's Soul Food & Grille

754 N. 27th St., (414) 448-6165 daddysoulfoodgrille.com [Read more] Among the Milwaukee staples for soul food is Daddy’s Soul Food & Grill which serves up a wide-ranging menu of items from fried (or baked) chicken, catfish and barbeque, served up with comforting sides like perfectly stewed and seasoned greens, tasty macaroni and cheese and sweet, warmly spiced yams.

You can also count on Daddy’s for classic chicken and waffles or sandwiches, including meatless options like the Philly cheese portabella sandwich. Even better, the folks at Daddy's are so friendly and welcoming, you'll want to go back.

Jackson's Soul Food Redefined

4519 W Center St., (414) 231-3008 jacksonssoulfoodmke.com Carry-out & delivery

Among the newest additions to the Uptown Crossing neighborhood is Jackson's Soul Food Redefined, a soul food restaurant that caters to carry-out and delivery.

Smothered pork chops are tender and flavorful and they come two per order. If you get them smothered, they're served in flavorful gravy over a bit of white rice. Greens were properly cooked and nicely seasoned with small pieces of turkey strewn throughout. Black-eyed peas were tender and flavorful; and the macaroni and cheese was some of the best I've ever had via carry-out. The pasta was supple, but not mushy and the sauce was ultra creamy with a distinctive cheddar flavor.

Additional options include catfish, chicken wings and fried ribs. Each meal includes a choice of two side dishes including macaroni and cheese, candied yams, black-eyed peas, yellow rice, green beans, cornbread and mixed greens cooked with turkey. Sandwiches are also on offer, including a Philly cheesesteak, fried catfish and Italian beef.

Nino's Southern Sides

4475 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, (414)964-3663 ninos-southernsides.com [Read more]

I’ve often said that I would be happy just eating the sides from Nino’s; and that’s true. One could easily make a vegetable-centric meal of their Southern greens, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas and yams. But if you eat meat, their fried chicken is crisp and tender, with a seasoned coating that’s well worth eating. There’s also smothered chicken, pork chops and fried catfish.

Place an order on the weekend and you have even more choices, including meatloaf, bbq pigs feet, chitterlings and hashbrown casserole. My only advice: call ahead to order so you don’t have to wait too long at their little walk-up shop.

Plate Pleasures

2330 N. 124th St., Wauwatosa, (414) 897-7100 facebook.com/choicecuisinebymia Carry-out only, Thursday through Sunday

This West Side spot is serving up a small but mighty menu of options like smoked turkey legs, fried catfish and smothered pork chops, along with sandwiches including catfish and shrimp po’boys. And it's delicious.

Don’t miss the gumbo served on Thursdays. It's chock full of smoked turkey, sausage and shrimp and served with rice and a generous side of sweet cornbread.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host @LoFredrich

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.

MILWAUKEE —

The future of the Mitchell Park Domes is unclear, but there is a plan.

Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez and Parks Committee Chairman Sheldon Wasserman held a public meeting Thursday to update the public on a plan for the Domes.

The path forward includes restoring the Domes with new glass, fixing the HVAC system and modernizing the facility. Reconfiguring the Domes is also a part of the plan, so people get inside sooner rather than waiting outside for hours. There are also plans to expand the gift shop, add a cade, build a new education space and address energy inefficiencies.

Funding would come from donations from the community, contributions from Milwaukee County and, hopefully, tax credits, state funding and federal grants.

"We'll look at the binding referendum as one of the possibilities we'll take. The public wants us to make a decision. We're going to make a decision one way or another," Wasserman said.

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The options range in cost from over $4 million to almost $70 million.

Demolition: The cost to demolish the domes is $4,778,881. The all-in cost, which includes design, fees, and contingency, would cost $6,408,230. This would be funded by county cash.

Repair what is broken: The cost to repair what is broken is $21,720,595. The all-in cost is $29,085,569. The repairs are expected to last 20 years. The total life-cycle cost is $30,151,869. This would be funded by county cash and some bonds.

Rebuild all three domes: The cost to rebuild all three domes is $67,149,432. The all-in cost is $91,150,095. The total life-cycle cost is $11,487,519. This would be funded by bonds and some county cash.

New conservatory with one rebuilt dome: The cost to build a new conservatory and rebuild a dome is between $64,701,561 and $69,442,663. The new setup would include a new conservatory, new dome, courtyard, wedding garden, café, and outdoor gardens. This would be funded by County bonds and would likely require private donations.

The report included a survey of 4,288 people. 40% of people who responded live in Milwaukee, 28% of people live in Milwaukee County, another 28% live in Wisconsin, and the final 4% were out-of-state residents. The survey was open from July 31 through Sept. 8.

Responses from the survey show:

Everyone else either visited over three years ago, never visited, or does not remember visiting.

People were also asked about their primary concerns with the future of the Domes. They could pick three of the six options.

Read the full report here.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former NBA head coach Terry Stotts’ return to the league as a Milwaukee Bucks assistant has reached a sudden conclusion a week before the start of the season.

Bucks coach Adrian Griffin confirmed Stotts’ departure from Milwaukee’s staff while speaking to reporters after a practice Thursday. Griffin declined to comment on the circumstances but said the move was Stotts’ decision.

“It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him,” Griffin said. “He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision –- a personal decision -– and we just have to respect that.”

Adrian Griffin on Terry Stotts departure: #Bucks pic.twitter.com/5dHWjeM7BG

— Lance Allan (@lanceallan) October 19, 2023

ESPN first reported Stotts’ departure.

Stotts’ experience was expected to give Griffin a boost as the former Toronto Raptors assistant begins his head coaching career by taking over a team with championship expectations. The Bucks open their season Oct. 26 by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers.

Stotts’ presence also would have provided some familiarity with newly acquired seven-time all-NBA guard Damian Lillard, who spent his first nine NBA seasons playing for Stotts with the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard said Stotts contacted him directly Wednesday to let him know about the move.

“Everybody was kind of surprised by it,” Lillard said. “It kind of came out of nowhere. I’ve been in this league long enough to know that these types of things happen. Everything continues, so you’ve got to kind of process things like this and other things that may come up and continue to move forward.

“For me, knowing Terry as long as I’ve known him -– playing for him for nine years and him also making this transition for me easier just having a familiar face be such a huge part of it — was a good thing. I think now that I’m settled in, to see him go is unfortunate. It’s sad to see him go. But like I said, everything is still moving forward.”

Stotts owns a career head coaching record of 517-486 that includes stints with the Atlanta Hawks (2002-04), Bucks (2005-07) and Trail Blazers (2012-21).

Lillard said he didn’t expect this sudden move to hinder the Bucks’ focus heading into the season.

“It didn’t come with a lot of drama,” Lillard said. “Me knowing him so well, it just wasn’t a dramatic, big deal. It was just a decision he had come to. It happened early, and it wasn’t loud. It was just abrupt. I don’t think it will be much of a distraction at all.”

Lillard said Saturday after making his preseason Bucks debut that Stotts had helped him adjust to his new team.

“A lot of the things we run is, you know he’s controlling that offense, so it’s all familiar,” Lillard said after that game. “A lot of times, guys are asking me questions when we’re talking about plays because I’m familiar with a lot of this stuff.”

Griffin said Thursday he was still evaluating whether to bring someone else in to fill the void created by Stotts’ exit. Griffin said he had a good working relationship with Stotts.

“It was Terry’s decision, and I respected that,” Griffin said of Stotts’ move. “We did have a great conversation. I can’t disclose what we spoke about out of respect for him, but again, we support him and we’re still excited about the season. We’ve got a great team, a great staff and life is good.”

Stotts had spoken at a Milwaukee Bucks Foundation golf event last month about how much he was looking forward to a return to Milwaukee after spending the last two seasons away from the game. Stotts had worked here twice previously, as a head coach and also as an assistant on George Karl’s staff from 1998-2002.

“It’s a no-brainer,” Stotts said then. “You’re coming back to a championship-caliber team in a city that I love. The fan base is awesome. I’m a Midwest guy. I have a lot of ties to Milwaukee anyway. After being out of coaching for two years, I couldn’t have asked for a better situation to be in.”

Terry Stotts being on Adrian Griffin’s staff with the Milwaukee Bucks helped ease Damian Lillard’s transition to his new team.

“I think the fact that Terry [Stotts] is here, I played with Terry for nine years and a lot of the things that we run, he’s controlling that offense. So it’s all familiar,” Lillard said after his debut in Los Angeles. “A lot of times guys are asking me questions, like when we talking about plays, because I’m familiar with a lot of this stuff.”

Now Stotts is out, with multiple reports he has stepped down as an assistant coach with the Bucks. No reason for the move was given and it caught the Bucks’ head coach off-guard.

Bucks coach Adrian Griffin tells reporters that he was caught off guard by Terry Stott’s decision to step down.“You’re going to have to ask Terry…It was his decision.”

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) October 19, 2023

There had been an underlying tension between Stotts and Griffin that was exposed when Griffin yelled at Stotts to join a coaches’ huddle during practice, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. That moment, however, seems more a symptom than the primary issue.

Stotts, 65, had been out of the NBA for two seasons following his nine seasons as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Stotts was brought into the Bucks to provide an offensive-minded assistant to go next to the defensive-minded Griffin. Stotts also provided an experienced head coaching voice to the rookie Griffin as he tries to helm a title contender in the Bucks.

This shouldn’t impact the Bucks or their offense dramatically — they still have Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two All-NBA, top 75 of all-time players on the roster.

“It’s totally, totally, totally different from last year to this year,” Antetokounmpo said of Stott’s offense. “I think even our offense from last year was very, very good. So much space for everybody to operate. But I feel like this offense allows Dame, me, Khris [Middleton]... to be able to be great and now open in new ways.”

The offense has been installed; now it is up to Griffin and his staff to manage it.