The Milwaukee Bucks made a surprising move on Tuesday as they fired head coach Adrian Griffin just 43 games into the season. Despite the team’s success, sitting second in the Eastern Conference standings, the organization felt it was necessary to make a change. Longtime NBA coach Doc Rivers has emerged as the top candidate for the vacant position and is the preferred choice of key stakeholders.
Rivers, who recently served as an informal consultant to Griffin, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and most recently coached the Philadelphia 76ers. Currently working as an ESPN broadcaster, Rivers is now in talks with the Bucks to become their new head coach.
The decision to fire Griffin was not an easy one for the Bucks. General manager Jon Horst acknowledged the difficulty of making such a move during the season but emphasized the team’s commitment to finding a suitable replacement. Assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as the interim head coach for now, with the team’s next game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Griffin, who was hired in 2023 to replace Mike Budenholzer, had a challenging task ahead of him. The Bucks had a successful season last year, winning the NBA title under Budenholzer’s leadership. However, a surprise first-round exit in the playoffs led to his dismissal. Griffin took over with high expectations but struggled to replicate the team’s previous success.
One area of concern for the Bucks has been their defense. Despite having one of the league’s best offenses, their defense has been lackluster, ranking 22nd in the league. This defensive struggle has been a stark contrast to their previous seasons, where they were known for their strong defensive play. The team made significant personnel changes in the offseason, including trading for Damian Lillard, but has failed to show much progress on the defensive end.
The Bucks’ offensive firepower, led by two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard, has not translated into cohesive team play. Integrating these two offensive talents has proven to be a challenge, and the team has lacked the necessary chemistry to maximize their potential.
If Rivers were to take over as head coach, it would be a homecoming of sorts for him. He graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee and played three seasons for the Marquette Golden Eagles. Rivers’ No. 31 jersey was retired by the university in 2004, cementing his legacy as one of their greats. The nickname “Doc” originated from his time at Marquette when assistant coach Rick Majerus noticed him wearing a Dr. J. T-shirt at a summer basketball camp.
Rivers’ coaching track record speaks for itself. With 24 seasons of experience, he has not had a losing year since 2007, a streak that ranks fourth in NBA history. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2000 with the Orlando Magic and led the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008.
As the Bucks continue their search for a new head coach, all eyes are on Doc Rivers. His proven success and ties to Milwaukee make him an ideal candidate to lead the team to further success. The organization is determined to find the right person for the job and build upon their strong foundation.
