Current:Home > NewsMilwaukee Bucks to hire Doc Rivers as coach, replacing the fired Adrian Griffin-InfoLens
Milwaukee Bucks to hire Doc Rivers as coach, replacing the fired Adrian Griffin
View Date:2024-12-23 19:09:17
The Milwaukee Bucks hired veteran NBA head coach Doc Rivers on Wednesday to replace first-time head coach Adrian Griffin, who the Bucks fired Tuesday following a 30-13 start filled with frustration, according to a NBA official with direct knowledge of the hiring.
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because it has not been announced yet.
Rivers, who played in the NBA and at Marquette University in Milwaukee, takes over a team with considerable expectations — win another championship following the one the Bucks won in 2021 with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and seven-time All-NBA performer Damian Lillard leading the way.
For a team with a winning percentage just below .700, there was sense the team had underachieved, a sentiment that was expressed publicly by Antetokounmpo following dubious losses and brewing internally with the front office and ownership.
Now, it’s on Rivers to get the Bucks headed in a better direction, especially defensively. During Mike Budenholzer’s five-year stint as Bucks coach, they had one of the top defenses in the league, including No. 1 in 2018-19 and 2019-20. This season, the Bucks are 22nd defensively.
Offense isn’t a problem. Milwaukee is No. 2 in that department, not a surprise with Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Khris Middleton.
OPINION: Why did Bucks fire coach Adrian Griffin?
Rivers was one of the premier coaches available. In 24 seasons, he has coached Orlando, Boston, the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia, leading the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008. He was the 1999-2000 Coach of the Year, and in 2021-22, he was named on the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history.
He has a career record of 1,097-763, the ninth-most victories all-time. However, since leaving Boston, he has had solid teams with the Clippers and Sixers but never got back to the conference finals.
From 2020-2023, Rivers spent three seasons with the Sixers losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Sixers dismissed Rivers, who joined ESPN as an analyst on the top TV announcing crew alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke. It’s common for coaches to have contractual provisions that allow them to return to coaching.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
- Kelsey Plum 'excited' to see Iowa's Caitlin Clark break NCAA scoring record
- Critics see conflict of interest in East Palestine train derailment cleanup: It's like the fox guarding the henhouse
- Why Glen Powell’s Mom Described Him as a “Little Douchey”
- South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays
- Auburn star apologizes to Morgan Freeman after thinking actor was Ole Miss fan trying to rattle him
- Miley Cyrus Makes First Red Carpet Appearance in 10 Months at Grammys 2024
- What if Super Bowl Monday became a national holiday? Here's what would have to happen
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- Biden sets sights on Las Vegas days before Nevada’s primary. He’s also got November on his mind.
Ranking
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- 1 icon, 6 shoes, $8 million: An auction of Michael Jordan’s championship sneakers sets a record
- Union reaches deal with 4 hotel-casinos, 3 others still poised to strike at start of Super Bowl week
- A stolen digital memory card with gruesome recordings leads to a double murder trial in Alaska
- PSA: Coach Outlet Has Stocking Stuffers, Gifts Under $100 & More for the Holidays RN (up to 60% Off)
- 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Oklahoma City felt in 5 states, USGS says
- Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped 50 years ago. Now she’s famous for her dogs
- Grammys 2024: Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Victoria Monét and More Best Dressed Stars on the Red Carpet
Recommendation
-
Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
-
Glen Powell Responds to His Mom Describing His Past Styles as Douchey
-
Oklahoma jarred by 5.1 magnitude earthquake
-
See All the Couples Singing a Duet on the 2024 Grammys Red Carpet
-
Watch as dust storm that caused 20-car pileup whips through central California
-
California bald eagles care for 3 eggs as global fans root for successful hatching
-
Controversial podcast host Joe Rogan signs a new deal with Spotify for up to a reported $250 million
-
The New America’s Team: How the Chiefs have become the new ‘it team’ in professional sports