The Bucks have parted ways with assistant coaches DJ Bakker, Sidney Dobner, and Josh Oppenheimer, sources confirmed to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report first broke the news.
All three coaches were assistants under Adrian Griffin who finished the season with the Bucks after Griffin was dismissed in January and replaced by Doc Rivers. As Nehm notes, Rivers brought in a few new assistants after his arrival in Milwaukee, resulting in a super-sized coaching staff, so it seemed likely that changes would be coming this offseason.
Following the changes, the Bucks now have seven assistants on their staff, per Nehm: Dave Joerger, Rex Kalamian, Joe Prunty, Patrick Mutombo, Vin Baker, Trevor Gleeson, and Pete Dominguez. With new head coaches filling their staffs around the NBA it’s possible Rivers’ staff will undergo more tweaks before the 2024/25 season tips off in the fall.
Here’s more on the Bucks:
- Rivers said that he usually takes a bit of a break at the end of his team’s season, but that’s not the plan for his first offseason with the Bucks. The veteran head coach “can’t wait to get started” on preparations for 2024/25, as Ben Steele of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel relays. “This summer is a very important summer for us. I have a lot of work to do,” Rivers said. “I’m going to take a break at some point, but not right away. Right now, I have some work to do that I have to get things right to make sure we’re ready for next year.”
- Last offseason, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez entered the summer as free agents and Damian Lillard wasn’t acquired by the Bucks until late September. This year, with all the team’s core players under contract, Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking forward to a greater level of stability, writes Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We’re not questioning and trying to figure out how it’s going to look moving forward. You know and now that you know, you just gotta work, strategize to the best of your abilities,” Antetokounmpo said. “Dame’s going to be here. Khris is going to be here. Brook (is) going to be here. Bobby (Portis is) going to be here. I hope I’m here. And then we go and try to find out what we have.”
- Within the same Owczarski story, Antetokounmpo said he plans to visit Portland this offseason to spend some time with Lillard. “Go work out together, talk, sit down, just spend time,” Giannis said. “It doesn’t have to be basketball. Just spend time together. I’ve done it with Khris in 11 years. I’ve done it with Brook. It’s just what you gotta do.”
- On the latest episode of his Pat Bev podcast, veteran guard Patrick Beverley said that before he repeatedly fired a basketball at Pacers fans in the last game of the Bucks’ season, he was called a word that he’d never been called before, per The Associated Press. However, Beverley acknowledged that his actions were “still inexcusable.” He was suspended for four games by the NBA. “That should have never happened,” he said of the incident. “Regardless of what was said, that should have never happened. Simple as that.”
Doc Rivers sucks.
The best moves the Bucks could do is adding someone to replace Jrue Holiday that can be a lock down defender particularly someone strong on the perimeter. Alex Caruso would be a terrific fit. He can hit open three’s plays with tons of heart and is an elite defender.
Bucks have the Pelicans first round pick this year, Pelicans have theirs. They should definitely use that, plus a guy like Pat Connaughton for salary matching along with a pair of second round picks or something.
I though Pat was a kick to return after starting some games in the playoffs but with how it all ended I don’t think he will return. So you’ll also need to be smart in building out the bench.
I’d take a flyer on a guy like Victor Oladipo on a vets min deal, no harm if he doesn’t return but huge bonus if he can play a part. Cam Payne would be a good Pat Bev replacement and allow Andre Jackson to also get minutes.
Bring back Robin Lopez for the vibes.
Then just wings/forwards Cedi Osman and Korkmaz will do.
Dame AC Middleton Giannis BLopez
Payne Beuchamp Osman Portis RLopez
Jackson Green Korkmaz Thanasis
Fire Rivers now for his great job coaching this past season and find a real SG veteran. If Malik Beasley is your starting SG then you are in trouble
When the Bucks Realize the NBA past Doc “choke” Rivers they will have no money left for a coach.
doc is the most overrated coach in nba history
unPOPular opinion but that title might soon belong in San Antonio
You’re kidding, right? No one could turn the Spurs around and Pop was brilliant with his adjustments.
“Patrick Beverley said that before he repeatedly fired a basketball at Pacers fans in the last game of the Bucks’ season, he was called a word that he’d never called before.”
What word was that? Good lord. Nobody is inventing new insult/racist/whatever words in 2024 that are so inventive that Pat Bev has never heard them before.
So, what word did he hear?
Charming
Ok that was your best comment in ages…
I actually laughed…
The fan said “Cancun…Cancun on 3” as the Bucks were breaking huddle. The reference being that the Bucks were about to be eliminated and that vacation was on their minds.