The Milwaukee Bucks could be due for a major change after early season struggles.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been unable to reach the NBA Finals again after capturing a title in 2021. It took a heroic run from Giannis Antetokounmpo, but raising a banner is all a franchise can ask as they build a core of a team, and the Bucks achieved just that.
Since they achieved the NBA’s largest feat, they’ve since broken up their core. Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday led the way for Milwaukee. While Holiday is with the Boston Celtics, the squad added star guard Damian Lillard.
The Bucks still have a contending-level core of a roster, but their results aren’t showing for it. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers could be on his way out if the team’s form doesn’t turn around.
Smith shared Rivers warning amid Bucks’ struggles
After a season-opening victory, the Bucks have suffered three straight defeats and currently have a 1-4 record. With this, Smith has sent a warning to Rivers, doing so on “ESPN on NBA.”
“If he doesn’t get it done this year, this could be it for him as a head coach in the NBA,” Smith stated.
Since taking over the Bucks mid-season last year, Rivers has posted an 18-21 record. The decision to fire Adrian Griffin, who was 30-13 with the team, to hire the long-time NBA head coach is certainly questionable in hindsight.
The Bucks aren’t in a good decision, despite having two legitimate stars in Antetokounmpo and Lillard — who are talented enough alone to will their team to victories.
Antetokounmpo details Milwaukee’s struggles
A head coaches’ job is to pull together the talent on the roster and form an identity to build a winning team. Rivers has the talent but has been unable to put it together to win ball games consistently. Antetokounmpo offered a solution to the team’s struggles after they suffered their second loss of the season.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Game 1, Game 3, Game 50,” Antetokounmpo said. “We gotta keep coming together as a team, keep on taking care of the ball, keep on being aggressive, find ways to play faster. I think we are too stagnant. We are playing too slow.”
Rivers has got to instill an offense and scheme in which the team can thrive and play comfortably. Some rosters are built to play slower, though the Bucks aren’t that team.
Getting Antetokounmpo and Lillard to their desired form should be at the forefront of Milwaukee’s head coaches’ focus, followed by getting their supporting cast up to speed.
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