New Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is expected to make his coaching debut with the organization on Monday against the Nuggets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Rivers was officially announced as head coach on Friday.
Assistant Joe Prunty has been serving as Milwaukee’s interim coach in the wake of Adrian Griffin‘s firing, leading the Bucks to a 1-1 record so far. Prunty will lead the Bucks once more as they take on the Pelicans on Saturday before Rivers takes over the head coaching role.
Rivers, 62, ranks ninth in NBA history in wins with 1,097. He coached the 2008 Celtics to a championship and was named Coach of the Year in 2000.
We have more Bucks notes:
- Nearly halfway through the season, the Bucks haven’t landed on an identity and many players expressed disappointment in the fact they hadn’t played up to their full potential, even with 30+ wins, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski. “I just feel like winning games in a fashion we want to win and not feeling a certain way after a win, not feeling like…we won a lot of games to this point, but we’ve had a lot of games where we felt like we won and we didn’t play to our full potential,” Jae Crowder said. The top priorities for Rivers are to establish an identity and to improve on the defensive side of the ball, Owczarski writes.
- Firing Griffin was a bold move for a contending team in the middle of the season, but as Lori Nickel of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes (subscription required), it’s the latest example of general manager Jon Horst‘s championship-or-nothing attitude. Even after delivering a title that ended a 50-year championship drought for the Bucks, Horst doesn’t appear to be satisfied with just one, not hesitating to move on from the likes of Griffin and Mike Budenholzer when things aren’t going right.
- Forward Bobby Portis was among Milwaukee players who expressed optimism for what Rivers can bring to the organization. “Great voice. Someone obviously who has had success in this league, who has respect in this league,” Portis said, via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm (Twitter link). “… He’s on board with us and knows that the expectations of this team are really high and I think he’s ready for it.“
Firing Griffin(that’s a decision they made) but hiring a perennial underachiever to replace in Rivers to me makes no sense. U could have let griffin coach out the year and if they failed in the playoffs replace him with Doc. I seriously doubt anybody in the nba was looking at Doc for this season(which is already half way thru)
Everyone needs to get over why Griffin was fired. There’s no one in that organization that seems too upset about it.
And when it comes to Rivers. You’re not going to hire some young coach or whoever into what has become somewhat of a toxic situation. Players aren’t happy. They needed a strong voice and he has a spotty post season record but he still has won a title.
Considering all of the talented teams he’s coached, he better have a title by now. Really, he should have 2 or 3. I’m guessing he’ll come up short again.
Are you really going to blame him for not taking Philly further last year with the James Harden saga that was going on?! I actually like Harden,in terms of his actual abilities to score and be a playmaker. He has dropped off quite a bit and playmaking is probably his strongest asset at this point. Harden 2016-19/20 was unbelievable. Him and Doc didn’t get along. Big surprise… in the Boston series he showed up one night and ghosted the next. I think that Doc probably learned from that experience and taking the time off he did also I think may have allowed him to get perspective on some things. I think there could be some changes in his coaching style with the Bucks. Maybe subtle changes. Do you really think that with what the players (mostly Giannis) have done to Griffin/Budenholzer that their going to standby if Doc starts slippin… Not making adjustments, etc. This might be the best team he has had top to bottom since the 08 Celtics. The other thing and bottom line is that there are limited options for them to pick from and even less coaches who would be willing to jump into this type of situation and be capable enough to handle it. From that standpoint Rivers was the best choice available. Van Gundy can coach but not as good at dealing with players or relationships. D’Antoni doesn’t help them defensively and has a spottier postseason record than Doc. Not 1 ring. Atkinson is a decent coach but wouldn’t have demanded the same respect automatically as Rivers does. Also, I hate to point this out but there is always criticism about fairness when it comes to black coaches. I haven’t actually heard anyone bring that up with Griffin but it silences anyone who does want to say that by hiring Rivers. I honestly don’t believe that had anything to do with choosing Rivers but it’s an added bonus for those who may say Griffin wasn’t given the same chance as a white coach. Or if the Bucks would have hired a white coach that may have led to criticism. This is also a homecoming for Doc being that he played for Marquette. Patterns and trends can change under different circumstances. Should be interesting.
And L vs cavs last night with Garland & Mobley out.
Lately nearly everyone has been catching Ls to the Cavs with Garland and Mobley out, they’ve been on fire.
I’ve been waiting for some team to try to coax D’Antoni out of retirement. Doc is a close second to what this team needs: a steady hand. Monty Williams might’ve snapped up this job if he hadn’t put on the golden handcuffs in Detroit.
Monty Williams is a lousy coach. Extremely overrated and hasn’t won anything yet. Worse at handling adjustments than Budenholzer which is one of the Reasons Phoenix lost in 21 to the Bucks.
Doc Rivers: “We just have to find our identity… If you’re going to have Fear the Deer, you gotta fear the deer.”
LOL
I don’t have any problem with what Horst did it was a judgment call and that’s what he gets paid to do. Hopefully it works out if it doesn’t he’ll be pushed to the side as well.
Middleton is probably the next domino to fall.
I don’t think Horst is on the hot seat.
Why does everyone keep bringing up Middleton as someone who is gonna go or needs to go??? I’m curious about the reasoning because I sincerely don’t get it. Khris and Giannis are a package deal. I will admit that he has regressed somewhat coming off his injuries. He still can hit big shots and has this season. I think he is also struggling to find his rhythm a little like Lillard. He has a lot of intangibles and his chemistry with Giannis is extremely valuable. No one is going to want to take on his contract at his age along with the loss of his quickness, etc. Who can you get that will be of equal or better value. Who can bring what Khris still does bring to the table. He’s a core part of the team. The core needs to stay intact due to the chemistry. It will make it easier to adjust to changes Doc will make. They have had enough major shakeups for one season. If anyone from the starters should go I would pick Beasley. Yes, I know he’s having a career year from 3. If they’re going to try to get a wing defender then it makes the most sense to trade him. Because of the year he’s having it makes him a hot commodity you can get a good return on him. I don’t think there is anyone else you can get equal value for. If Beasley is going to get the majority of minutes then what’s the point of getting a defensive wing? Gotta get minutes to make an impact. Hopefully whoever you get can knock down some spot up 3s on occasion. Hopefully between that and improved defense you can offset the scoring. Maybe Doc can get one of the younger guys going better than they are at the moment. Ajax can actually shoot the 3 he doesn’t take the opportunities to shoot when he has them enough though.