Since Doc Rivers took the helm as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on January 26th, the team’s record stands at a disappointing 3-7. However, Rivers revealed during the NBA’s All-Star Media Day that he initially hesitated to accept the position, citing the challenging road trip looming ahead.
“Taking on a new job right before embarking on the toughest road trip of the season isn’t the most strategic move,” Rivers admitted. “I even proposed waiting until the All-Star break. It would have been more favorable.”
The road trip in question included matchups against formidable opponents such as the Denver Nuggets (resulting in Rivers’ first game as head coach and a loss), Portland Trail Blazers (another loss), Dallas Mavericks (a lone victory), Utah Jazz (another loss), and Phoenix Suns (yet another loss).
Doc Rivers when asked to go more than a month before pointing the finger at his players https://t.co/ymQGyZmp0I pic.twitter.com/pxcEVvOOcP
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) February 16, 2024
This demanding journey spanned nine days and featured a back-to-back game between the Dallas and Utah outings.
Interestingly, the Bucks’ struggles under Rivers have been consistent both at home and on the road. Rivers raised eyebrows when he seemed to deflect responsibility for the team’s difficulties, suggesting to reporters after a 113-110 loss to the injury-depleted Memphis Grizzlies that “some guys are here, some guys are in Cabo.”
Acknowledging the challenges, Rivers conceded, “It’s been perhaps more challenging than I anticipated,” speaking about his tenure as Milwaukee’s head coach.
While the team’s performance in January and February may not be definitive, it’s concerning that Rivers’ early days with the Bucks have been marked by such adversity. With star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton, the Bucks possess the talent to compete with most NBA teams.
However, there’s a legitimate question as to whether Rivers has the ability to guide a talented team to ultimate success, particularly considering his track record since his Boston Celtics days.
Despite coaching star-studded rosters in Los Angeles with the Clippers and Philadelphia with the 76ers, Rivers never advanced past the second round of the playoffs.
Bucks under Doc Rivers:
23rd in ORTG
11th in DRTG
19th in NETRTGAnd a 3-7 record. pic.twitter.com/2Mf1LujDlR
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 16, 2024
Will the Bucks succumb to a similar fate of underachievement under Rivers’ leadership?
“The ultimate goal is what we’re striving for,” Rivers emphasized. “The organization strongly believed that defensive adjustments were necessary, and that’s what we’re working on. The challenge is that while making those adjustments, we’re amidst the toughest stretch of the season.”
As statistics show, the Bucks’ performance under Rivers has been lackluster, with rankings of 23rd in offensive rating, 11th in defensive rating, and 19th in net rating, accompanied by a disappointing 3-7 record.
Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Rivers concluded, “I’ve only been in Milwaukee for four days; I’ve held this position for three weeks. It’s certainly been a challenging three weeks.”
