SUMMARY
- The Bucks have signed Doc Rivers to assume the vacant head coach's role.
- Rivers has been a coach in the league since 1999.
The Milwaukee Bucks have officially welcomed Doc Rivers into their family. This franchise has been trying its best to reclaim the title it won in 2021. However, the league has evolved a lot since then and multiple stars have emerged from the ruins. After making a few pivotal moves during the off-season, they thought it would be more than enough to make a potential title run.
The concoction of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo has worked wonders offensively. Giannis has been averaging 31.3 points per game along with 11.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. Lillard has additionally contributed 25.3 points per game as well. But since Adrian Griffin’s tenure, the Bucks have turned out to be one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
Another MVP performance from Giannis.
35 PTS | 18 REB | 10 AST | 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/MlQEcC3G9t
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 25, 2024
Last season they ranked top five in defensive ratings. However, this season, they rank 20th in defensive ratings. After the front office observed Griffin’s work, they concluded that he wasn’t a good fit for the Bucks roster. Sources claim that the team also lost hope in Griffin turning things around. Shortly after firing him from the position, the Bucks signed Doc Rivers as his replacement.
Doc Rivers will coach the Milwaukee Bucks until the 2026-27 season
Doc Rivers has had a lot of experience working as a head coach in the league. He was the mastermind behind the 2008 Boston Celtics championship roster. He began his journey as a coach in the league back in 1999. In 2000, he was named the NBA Coach of the Year as well. Rivers also coached the LA Clippers during Chris Paul and Blake Griffin’s tenure with the team.
In 2020, Rivers assumed the head coach’s position for the Philadelphia 76ers. After three unsuccessful post-season runs, the Sixers decided to fire him in 2023. The Sixers had an extremely poor post-season record. Rivers has been successful in other ways though. Chances are that he will have a great stint with the Bucks, especially since he also pays a lot of attention to detail in terms of defense.
Sources: Doc Rivers is signing a contract through the 2026-27 season worth in the range of $40 million to be the Bucks’ head coach. Milwaukee is paying out former coaches Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin, and now Rivers for next 3.5 years. pic.twitter.com/TJNafNFms9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 25, 2024
League sources claim that the Bucks have signed Rivers to a deal worth around $40 million. His stint with the team is valid through the 2026-27 season. Unfortunately, the Bucks are still going to have to pay Griffin and Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after the 2023 NBA Playoffs.