The decision to change coaches and install Doc Rivers on the bench during the season did not produce the expected effects in Milwaukee. The new coach has a mediocre record of 17 wins and 19 losses. In comparison, that of Adrian Griffin (30 wins for 13 losses) is much more brilliant, even if everything was not perfect with the Bucks.
To put it simply, Milwaukee's difficulties are still the same, despite a new face and new instructions. A new method too. Because the former technician of the Celtics, Clippers and Sixers has his technique.
Saying things in front of everyone
During training camp, he speaks to each player to take stock with them. There, as he arrived during the exercise, he waited until the resumption, after the All-Star Game, to do it. On February 22, he took the floor to say what he had to say, in front of the entire group. Everyone has therefore heard Doc Rivers' criticisms concerning himself and others…
“I didn’t think he was going to do it”, recognize Damian Lillard. “I think it was good for the team. It was the first time that everything was discussed in front of everyone. He said things individually. Good or bad, it was honest. And in front of everyone, so nothing was hidden. »
The Bucks playmaker ensures that “everyone respects the truth”and Bobby Portis also appreciated this moment. “It was important for the coach to take his place. Everyone must respect you, feel your presence, understand your message and believe in you”confides the interior. “It was old-fashioned NBA, telling the players things, even if they don’t want to hear it. I respect the coach enormously for that. »
Doing this obviously puts the players in front of their responsibilities, especially after a change of coach. However, openly criticizing your players has a possible downside.
“It’s not really done collectively, in front of everyone. Frankly, for me, it’s very dangerous for a coach to do,” believes Pat Connaughton. “The main objective of a coach is to manage people, to manage those with whom we work and whom we play. It's dangerous because we don't know how the players will react if we haven't done this individually before. But he was very good. »
The Bucks need to talk to each other more
Alumni, Danilo Gallinari and Patrick Beverley, also found Doc Rivers' approach positive. “I really enjoyed it. Not many coaches have done that in my career. The more direct the better, because players know what to expect next,” explains the Italian. “He's a coaching legend, with the eighth-highest winning total in history, so his words and his voice matter,” continues the playmaker.
If the following weeks will prove that this did not wake up the group on a sporting level, this moment had one virtue: opening the dialogue with its players. “ It showed that we could have direct and frank conversations. That if a disagreement arises, we can talk about it”summarizes Pat Connaughton.
This is not a detail for the Bucks who, obviously, are not the most talkative among themselves. “We all need to ask questions during training and video sessions,” asks Khris Middleton. “If I don’t understand something, I ask the coach. We stop training and make sure we're all on the same page. Because it will then be necessary to be on the ground. »
