DeMar DeRozan’s ghost friends are back in town

The Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Miami Heat in the first round after just five games. The Bucks blew significant fourth quarter leads in both Games 4 and 5.

“I’m told Mike Budenholzer’s status with the Bucks is shaky after the team’s five-game loss to the Heat,” wrote Shams Charania. “A lack of coaching adjustments, especially defensively, seems to be the main reason for the uncertainty.”

Zach Lowe of ESPN previously reported that league insiders were “extremely skeptical” Budenholzer would be brought back next season.

Budenholzer has two seasons and $16 million remaining on his contract.

The Golden State Warriors have been lauded for playing 12 players per game this season. Now that the team has hit a rough patch, some are questioning if that’s too many guys to play on a nightly basis. Those questions are starting with Warriors star Stephen Curry.

“It’s hard as hell,” Curry said. “No two ways around it. Mo played two minutes tonight. Kyle played seven. Two games ago, Mo had a stretch where he had 15 (points) and then played four minutes in the second half. It’s hard for everybody. Coach’s job is to make those tough decisions. It’s our job to help him. If you’re not playing, don’t pout, don’t bring the locker room down. It doesn’t help anybody. Including yourself.”

Curry was asked if Golden State coach Steve Kerr needs to rethink his rotation strategy. The Warriors superstar said shortening the rotation could help players find consistency.

“Do we need to shorten it?” Curry said. “We probably need to be more predictable on a night-to-night basis so guys can get a little bit of a rhythm. Is that shortening it one or two guys? Maybe.”

As for Kerr, he thinks that questions come when teams hit a losing skid.

“As soon as you lose, you’re going to have guys that are pissed off,” Kerr said. “I’ve been in their shoes. I used to be pissed off at my coach all the time when he didn’t play me. That was most of my career. This is how it is. It’s the NBA. It’s a competitive, vicious league. Four games ago, we’re on top of the world. Everybody’s happy. Now we’ve lost four in a row. Everybody’s pissed.”