Report: Doc Rivers to become next Bucks head coach
After Adrian Griffin‘s shocking dismissal, the Milwaukee Bucks have appeared to have already found their new head coach. Former Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers has officially become the team’s head coach, CNN Sports reported Tuesday evening.
NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported Tuesday that the Bucks were in discussions with Rivers, though the conversations continued into the evening, when an agreement was officially made.
The official terms of the contract were not released. The news has also not been made official by the organization at the time of this publishing.
The news shocked the NBA world, as the Bucks were 30-13 and owned the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games back of the Boston Celtics and just 0.5 game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers. While defensive struggle plagued Milwaukee over the first half of the season, it owned the NBA’s second-best offense (120.6 ORTG) and No. 10 NET Rating (3.8). According to the adjusted statistics (based on strength of schedule) that dunksandthrees.com provides us, the Bucks owned the 10th-best NET Rating with the third-best offense and 21st-best defense.
Griffin was in his first year as an NBA head coach. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly played a huge role in his hiring; Griffin spent five years as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors after spending time with the Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder in a similar role.
Better yet, Griffin also had Doc Rivers in his ear as an informal consultant over the offseason … now the person who offered you advice is taking your job?
Rivers, 62, was fired from the Philadelphia 76ers after last season’s playoff flameout in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. He went 154-82 in three seasons with Philadelphia; he’s gone 1860-1097 in 24 seasons as head coach, winning one NBA Title in 2007-08 with the Celtics.
To Rivers’ credit, he has a deep track record of coaching star talent, including Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady. Though his teams have oftentimes fallen short when the lights have been brightest with the exception of one season in Bean Town.
Is this a good hire for Milwaukee? Let us know in the comments!
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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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