Why Hiring Doc Rivers Would Be a Mistake for the Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads. With the recent firing of head coach Adrian Griffin, the organization is now faced with the decision of who will lead their talented team moving forward. One name that has been thrown into the mix is Doc Rivers, but I’m here to tell you why that would be a mistake.
Doc Rivers has had a long and storied coaching career, but when it comes to leading championship-caliber teams, he has consistently fallen short. Since winning a championship with the Boston Celtics 16 years ago, Rivers has proven time and again that he is incapable of taking aspiring teams to the next level.
In fact, Rivers holds the unfortunate record for coaching three out of the 13 blown 3-1 series leads in NBA history. He also has the most losses for a coach in Game 7s, with a record of 6-10. Additionally, his teams have a dismal 34% win rate in games where they had a chance to clinch a playoff series, which is again the most losses for a coach in such a scenario in NBA history.
These statistics alone should give the Milwaukee Bucks pause when considering Rivers as their next head coach. The team has championship aspirations and a talented roster led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Entrusting Rivers with this team would be a risky move, given his track record of postseason collapses.
Furthermore, Rivers’ lack of success in the playoffs extends beyond just blown leads. During his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, he never made it past the second round of the playoffs, despite having a star-studded team. Even during his three years coaching the Philadelphia 76ers, Rivers failed to get past the second round. This raises questions about his ability to navigate through the tough competition in the Eastern Conference, particularly against teams like the Boston Celtics and the Sixers, who fired him last season.
So why would the Bucks even consider hiring Rivers? Some may argue that he is a “winner” or a great “culture” guy who can work magic in a locker room. However, these notions are not supported by the facts. Rivers has often been criticized for throwing his players under the bus rather than leading them to success. His survival in the coaching game seems to be his greatest skill, rather than actually winning enough games.
One example of this is his time with the Clippers, where he reportedly played a role in convincing the Bucks that what they needed was Doc Rivers. This manipulation of the situation raises concerns about his true intentions and whether he is truly focused on winning or simply advancing his own career.
In the end, the Milwaukee Bucks must carefully consider their options before making a decision on their next head coach. While Doc Rivers may have a reputation as a respected coach, his history of postseason failures and questionable leadership should give them pause. The team has championship aspirations and needs a coach who can guide them to success, not one who is likely to repeat the same mistakes of the past.
So, Milwaukee Bucks, I implore you: Swerve. Stop. Break. Take a breath. Just don’t hire Doc Rivers as your next head coach. It’s a mistake waiting to happen.
