Doc Rivers is heading into his first full season as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran NBA mentor has no shortage of critics, especially during his takeover of the Bucks coaching position in the middle of the 2023-24 NBA campaign.
The criticisms grew louder with each loss the Bucks suffered under his watch and even got much more intense in the playoffs where Milwaukee was ousted in six games by the Indiana Pacers right in the very first round.
Apr 10, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Is Rivers’ seat going to get hot again next season? Over at TWSN.com, it’s been predicted that the Bucks will hand Rivers his walking papers with the urging of Giannis Antetokounmpo to become the first head coach fired in the 2024-25 campaign.
With time ticking for an older roster to win, I see Giannis making an early executive call and firing Doc Rivers around midseason. I think their offense will be around the middle of the pack with Doc, which is something that will keep the Bucks in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference while Doc is in town. I think Giannis and the organization will feel the pressure to make a move and make Doc Rivers the first NBA head coach fired for the year.
The Bucks went just 17-19 with Rivers at the helm last season. Being under .500 despite having the duo of Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard was not ideal for Rivers’ job security. But he did survive in the 2023-24 season and even after the disappointing exit from the playoffs, the Bucks continue to be his employer.
However, Rivers must be under pressure to deliver in 2024-25. With a full offseason with the Bucks and with Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton all still on the roster, there isn’t much excuse for Rivers to fail as much as he did a season ago.
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