The previous 48 hours have been a whirlwind of occasions.
It was introduced by ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski Tuesday morning that Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin was relieved from his duties. Lower than 12 hours later, CNN broke the rising information that Doc Rivers can be named subsequent head coach of the Bucks.
This time, Rivers shall be teaching one other Japanese Convention Rival. First the Boston Celtics, subsequent the Philadelphia 76ers, and now Milwaukee. Not many coaches can say they’ve had that distinctive alternative.
Wednesday morning, Wojnarowski and Chris Haynes broke the official information that Rivers shall be Milwaukee’s subsequent head coach. An NBA Analyst for ESPN, Rivers will take over for Bucks, who’ve the second greatest report within the NBA. At 30-13, the firing of Griffin got here as a shock to many.
As of this morning, Shams Charania introduced on X, Rivers will signal a contract by the 2026-2027 season. The deal is regarded as value close to the $40 million vary.
Doc Rivers was named head coach after the firing of Adrian Griffin
Sources: Doc Rivers is signing a contract by the 2026-27 season value within the vary of $40 million to be the Bucks’ head coach. Milwaukee is paying out former coaches Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin, and now Rivers for subsequent 3.5 years. pic.twitter.com/TJNafNFms9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 25, 2024
Griffin’s time with the Bucks was quick lived. Changing Mike Budenholzer, Griffin initially interviewed for 14 totally different teaching opportunites over 13 years. It was this off season, Milwaukee took an opportunity on Griffin, inking him to a multi-year deal. This comes after former coach Budenholzer was let go after the Bucks conceded to the Miami Warmth within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs. The truth is, Budenholzer led Milwaukee to their first NBA Title in 50 years. It was anticipated the Bucks would regress barely earlier than the Damian Lillard commerce.
Earlier than we dive into the Rivers deal, there’s an insane catch to all this. Having three head coaches in two years, Milwaukee remains to be paying Budenholzer and Griffin their salaries. With the breaking information, the Bucks will now pay for all three salaries this yr. Should you did not know the staff, you’ll assume they’d the worst report within the NBA. Budenholzer and Griffin are on the books for the following 3.5 years.
Beneath Griffin, the Bucks are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second greatest win proportion. Nonetheless, they rank twenty first in defensive score (116.5), permitting practically 120.5 factors per recreation. Permitting a league worst 94.5 subject purpose makes an attempt per recreation, their level differential is simply a +4.0.
Apart from blowing out the Boston Celtics 135-102, the Bucks have a degree differential of +6.75 of their final 4 wins. Escaping back-to-back wins over the league worst Detroit Pistons, they allowed them to place up 124 factors over two matchups. On the offensive facet, Milwaukee ranks second, behind the Indiana Pacers.
In line with CBS Sports activities, the firing of Adrian Griffin caught Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo “unexpectedly.” “On the finish of the day I belief the possession determination, I belief the entrance workplace.” (Jack Maloney)
Can Doc Rivers assist form Milwaukee’s identification?
Doc Rivers is somebody who is aware of coach, and has performed so very effectively. Over his profession, he is led the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Most notably, he helped deliver a NBA Title again to Boston in 2008. Throughout that championship run, he coached the trio of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. He is additionally coached a number of stars, together with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.
A number of months into his broadcasting profession, Rivers has the provision and expertise to teach two superstars in Lillard and Antetokounmpo. Though the Bucks are a wonderful offensive staff on paper, they lack fluidity and chemistry at occasions.
 Bucks Basic Manger Jon Horst admitted this staff may very well be extra environment friendly on the defensive finish, and the acquisition of Lillard makes this staff a severe contender within the NBA. In accordance the ESPN, Horst had an “urgency to win,” particularly after they made a late push for a second tremendous star. He additionally believes the staff has time to “discover an identification.”
Total, it’s extremely clear Horst believes on this staff, and their capabilities are higher than they’ve proven. Typically within the NBA, there’s a quick window to win championships, particularly with wage cap area and max contracts of assorted gamers.
Rivers has been closely criticized within the playoffs
Rivers has 24 years of teaching expertise, with an everyday season win/loss report of 1097-763, and playoff report of 111-104. Racking up the ninth most common season wins as an NBA coach, Rivers is without doubt one of the greatest to ever do it. With that, after watching Rivers all these years, he loves to teach the sport of basketball.
Whereas Rivers is a superb coach, he is been closely criticized, particularly within the playoffs. Anticipated to deliver a NBA Title to the Clippers, he led Los Angeles to the playoffs in six out of his seven seasons as head coach. In 2015 and 2020, each groups blew 3-1 leads within the playoffs towards the Warriors and Rockets. As 76ers head coach throughout the 2022-2023 season, his staff blew a 3-2 result in the Celtics. In a dramatic ending, Philadelphia acquired crushed 112-88 in a recreation 7 loss. He was fired by Philadelphia after that, which led to his broadcasting profession.
With all of the scrutiny, the Bucks really feel Rivers is the suitable coach to assist this staff construct an identification, and win one other NBA title. He is performed it up to now with the Celtics, particularly with the massive three.
Can Doc Rivers lastly lead a staff to the NBA Finals? May help set up an identification and defensive plan? With the second greatest report within the NBA, can Milwaukee outshine the opposite contenders within the East? Solely time will inform. The Bucks are getting themselves a future Corridor of Fame coach.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislifebets. She has a deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at the moment resides in Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
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