On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA group when the group fired first-year head coach Adrian Griffin after 43 video games into the 2023-24 season, and the membership made one other stunning transfer on Wednesday when it determined to rent veteran coach-turned-analyst Doc Rivers.
Griffin, 49, completed with a formidable 30-13 (.698) file. Griffin had one of many shortest teaching tenures in NBA historical past — becoming a member of Rudy Tomjanovich (43 video games with the 2004-05 Lakers), Bob Weiss (30 video games with the 2005-06 Sonics), and Jerry Tarkanian (20 video games with the 1992-93 Spurs).
“This was a troublesome determination to make in the course of the season. We’re working instantly towards hiring our subsequent head coach. We thank Coach Griffin for his exhausting work and contributions to the staff,” mentioned Bucks basic supervisor Jon Horst in a press release.
BREAKING: Doc Rivers is finalizing an settlement to change into the subsequent coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, sources inform ESPN. The Bucks are getting the coach they focused over the previous 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/SP16vhYJDP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2024
The Bucks employed Griffin in the course of the 2023 offseason to interchange longtime coach Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after Milwaukee’s first-round exit to the Miami Heat final postseason.
Rivers, 62, was employed as an ESPN analyst in Could 2023 after getting fired by the Philadelphia 76ers shortly after the membership’s convention semifinals loss towards the Boston Celtics. It was the identical story, completely different season. The Sixers couldn’t advance any additional than the second spherical underneath Rivers.
Milwaukee Bucks changed Adrian Griffin with Doc Rivers, who’s 16-34 in close-out video games
It’s now time to deal with the elephant within the room. Whose genius concept was it to fireplace Griffin and substitute him with Rivers? NBA insiders reported late Tuesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton have been known as to a gathering with Griffin to debate staff matter in November.
Throughout this convention, all 4 gamers opened up on what wasn’t working together with which gamers weren’t being utilized on the staff, per Bleacher Report. Griffin reportedly had “misplaced the locker room.” Even when Griffin wasn’t the man for the job, not less than let him end the season.
As for Rivers, why did the Bucks rent him? The veteran coach hasn’t received an NBA championship since 2008, when he coached a loaded Celtics staff with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen.
DOC RIVERS NBA RECORDS:
– Misplaced 32 shut out video games
– Misplaced 7 collection when main 3-2
– Misplaced 10 recreation 7’s
– Misplaced 12 collection when holding collection lead(h/t @EmmanuelAcho) pic.twitter.com/yNn2IHCI7d
— Time beyond regulation (@additional time) January 24, 2024
Since then, Rivers-led groups have blown three 3-1 leads, 5 3-2 leads, one 2-0 lead, misplaced Sport 7 5 occasions in winnable collection, and have been eradicated 11 occasions at house. His groups have additionally gone 16-34 in close-out video games as properly.
It makes die-hard Clippers followers cry simply occupied with it.
Take a look at all the opposite expertise Rivers has had at his disposal all through his teaching profession — Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Deandre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Joel Embiid, and James Harden.
But, he nonetheless has just one NBA title to point out for it. Now, he will get to educate one other star-studded staff in Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, and Lopez.
Milwaukee provided Rivers “a really profitable” deal
Let’s get this out of the way in which — Rivers is certainly not a nasty coach. Is he overrated? Completely. Have house owners and basic managers given him extra credit score than he deserves previously? Sure, undoubtedly.
One of the best phrase any fan can use to explain Doc Rivers is underachiever.
We’ve seen Invoice Belichick coach within the NFL with out Tom Brady. We’ve seen Gregg Popovich coach with out Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili. It ain’t fairly. However what’s Rivers’ excuse for falling quick?
An absence of expertise is one factor, however Rivers has nearly all the time had superstars on his rosters. Coaches in sports activities can solely achieve this a lot with what they should work this. That’s comprehensible.
Nonetheless, sooner or later he must be held accountable for falling quick.
Most significantly, Rivers’ take care of the Bucks is anticipated to be “a really profitable one,” in line with ESPN. Milwaukee is now on the hook for lots of teaching cash with Bud, Griffin, and Doc.
Milwaukee took an enormous, pointless danger by making such a questionable transfer. Rivers used his “robust bargaining place” to barter a ridiculous contract with the Bucks. It’s a transfer that may simply come again to chew them.
Is 16 occasions the attraction for Doc Rivers to win a second championship? That is his final likelihood.
