Doc Rivers has recently expressed some regret and surprise regarding his decision to take on the role of head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks in the middle of the season. In a recent interview on Sirius XM NBA Radio’s “The Starting Lineup,” the 62-year-old coach revealed that he openly questioned the Bucks ownership’s decision to fire Adrian Griffin and hire him.
Despite his reservations, Rivers went along with the decision, stating, “I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” during the conversation with the team’s owners. This hesitation and questioning seem to stem from the challenging circumstances surrounding Griffin’s dismissal.
Rivers suggested that he was puzzled by the Bucks’ choice and revealed that the ownership responded by emphasizing that the decision had been made, and they wanted him as the new head coach. These comments highlight a sense of uncertainty and reluctance on Rivers’ part about accepting the coaching position.
The coach’s recent statements raise questions about the timing and circumstances of his hiring, especially considering his assertion that the team should not have rushed him into the job, particularly before what he believed to be the team’s “toughest road trip of the season.” The Bucks’ performance under Rivers, with a 3-7 record in his first 10 games, including unexpected losses to teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and a substantial defeat against the Miami Heat without Jimmy Butler, adds to the complexity of the situation.
Furthermore, Rivers’ acknowledgment of his involvement in advising the Los Angeles Clippers to trade for James Harden before the blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia 76ers is noteworthy. Despite the ongoing challenges with the Bucks, Rivers seems to have correctly assessed Harden’s fit with the Clippers. This revelation comes at an interesting time, as Rivers has transitioned from coaching the Clippers to leading the struggling Bucks, who have experienced a decline in performance since his appointment.
The article concludes by highlighting the stark contrast in the success of the Clippers with Harden, where they currently hold the No. 3 seed in the competitive Western Conference, compared to the Bucks, who have fallen to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and face a 1.5-game advantage over the No. 4 seed New York Knicks.
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