NBA coach Doc Rivers disclosed to reporter Rachel Nichols that prior to joining the Milwaukee Bucks, he had received interest from two other teams, though he opted not to disclose their identities.
During an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Rivers expressed his confusion over the decision to dismiss Adrian Griffin from his coaching position with the Bucks. Under Griffin’s leadership, Milwaukee had achieved a commendable record of 30-13 before his abrupt termination on January 23rd.
Rivers, who had been serving as an advisor to Griffin, subsequently assumed the role of head coach for the Bucks on January 27th.
Despite Rivers’ arrival, the Bucks have encountered a string of challenges, managing only a 3-7 record under his guidance. Presently, they occupy the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 35-21.
Insights from NBA insiders Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and Eric Nehm of The Athletic revealed that star player Damian Lillard found fault with the offensive strategies employed by Griffin. Additionally, reports from NBA reporter Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated suggested that Giannis Antetokounmpo had lost confidence in Griffin.
Rivers boasts a notable coaching career, highlighted by leading the Boston Celtics to victory in the 2008 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, his postseason success has been limited since 2012, failing to progress beyond the second round.
With the 2024 playoffs on the horizon, there is anticipation surrounding the Bucks’ performance. While they clinched the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns, their subsequent playoff runs saw early exits, falling to the Celtics in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals and succumbing to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.
Statistically, the Bucks rank second in the NBA for points per game (122.0) but lag behind defensively, ranking 23rd for points per game allowed (118.8). Speculation suggests that Milwaukee’s front office attributed Griffin’s dismissal to the team’s defensive shortcomings, expressing confidence in Doc Rivers’ ability to rectify the situation. However, thus far, the decision to replace Griffin with Rivers appears questionable, especially considering Rivers’ history of surrendering several 3-1 leads in postseason games.
As they return to action following the All-Star break, the Bucks face a challenging matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who currently hold the top spot in the Western Conference with a record of 39-16.
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