Milwaukee Bucks and Doc Rivers Reach Agreement on a Four-Season, Approximately $40 Million Contract
In Milwaukee, Doc Rivers took center stage at Fiserv Forum, accompanied by general manager Jon Horst, marking his official introduction as the Milwaukee Bucks’ new head coach shortly after the scheduled 11:30 a.m. CT start time.
Expressing his delight at returning to the city where he played college basketball for Marquette, Rivers reflected on the profound impact of mentors like Rick Majerus, Al McGuire, and Hank Raymonds, who shaped his basketball knowledge and life skills during his time at Marquette.
Now, Rivers assumes the role of the mentor, leveraging his extensive basketball journey—four seasons at Marquette, 13 seasons as an NBA player, and 24 seasons as a head coach. The Bucks’ formidable talent, particularly with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, played a pivotal role in Rivers accepting the coaching position.
Balancing experience and talent, Rivers faces the significant challenge of molding the Bucks into championship contenders on the fly. Yet, driven by the desire for success and a shot at the title, Rivers emphasized that if the challenge wasn’t worth it, he would have opted for retirement on the golf course.
Recalling his past coaching experiences, especially with the Boston Celtics in 2008, Rivers acknowledged the pressure that comes with high expectations. He welcomed the challenge, highlighting the Bucks’ existing high expectations as a motivating factor.
As the Rivers era officially kicks off, the introductory press conference provided key insights into the challenges and aspirations ahead. Additionally, Rivers addressed reports regarding his potential role as a consultant for Adrian Griffin, the recently dismissed head coach, neither confirming nor entirely denying his involvement in the decision-making process.
The primary concerns for the Bucks this season revolve around their defensive performance, ranking 19th in the league, a position that persisted even at the time of Griffin’s dismissal when they were placed 21st. In a league increasingly emphasizing offense, teams with defensive struggles often face challenges in contending for the championship.
Buck’s pain this season
While the Bucks sought an experienced coach in Doc Rivers, they also prioritized someone capable of addressing their defensive woes. The goal was not only to enhance their defensive capabilities but also to bring stability to a team that had been navigating through Griffin’s aggressive and unpredictable defensive schemes.
During a press conference earlier in the week, general manager Jon Horst acknowledged the defensive shortcomings, expressing the desire for improvement. He emphasized evaluating whether the team, with its current roster, could achieve a top-five, top-10, or top-15 defensive ranking, underscoring the need for players to step up and take accountability, along with coaching adjustments.
In response, Doc Rivers refrained from delving too deeply into questions about the defense, citing his limited time with the team. However, he conceded that defensive improvement is imperative.
Acknowledging the existing challenges, Rivers emphasized the necessity of aligning everyone on the team to the same defensive strategy. He highlighted the importance of refining defensive language and communication, recognizing the current disparities within the team. Additionally, he noted the need for strategic adjustments, considering the unique playing styles of key players like Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, stressing the importance of adapting to their strengths and differences compared to the past.
