With a record of 17 wins and 19 losses, Doc Rivers didn't work wonders when he arrived in Milwaukee in January. On a strictly statistical level, he did even worse than his predecessor, Adrian Griffin (30-13), and on a technical level, there was no improvement, the Bucks never having found a collective and defensive balance.
Therefore, the playoffs have not offered another truth, especially in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and with the injury of Damian Lillard. For now, the Doc Rivers experiment in Milwaukee is therefore a failure.
But he's going to get a second chance. Maybe even his first real one since he can work all summer with his group. Especially with the return of Darvin Ham, a former member of the house, on the bench to support him.
“It starts with Doc and his qualities. People have a huge respect for him in the league, the coaches too and they want to train with him, learn from him”, explains the franchise GMJon Horst. “I also think it's an opportunity to coach Damian Lillard, Giannis, Khris Middleton […] and a success for our franchise, for its reputation.”
Even if the results have not followed, the foundations are already there.
The Bucks have a very solid technical staff – Darvin Ham, Dave Joerger, Greg Buckner – since the first two have coached no fewer than 656 matches in the NBA between them.
“Darvin Ham took the Lakers to the conference finals. Dave Joerger led his teams to the playoffs and hundreds of wins. Greg Buckner is arguably one of the most respected assistants in the league and a great defensive mind,” list the leader. “This is the first part of our bench, and behind it, there are professionals with experience: Rex Kalamian who has experienced everything in the NBA, then Joe Prunty, Vin Baker, Pete Dominguez, Jason Love, Spencer Rivers, Jack Herum. I haven't checked but it's one of the most experienced staffs in the league. […] It's really, really positive and exciting to have this group of coaches around Doc Rivers.”
This rather failed second half of the season has, at least, had the merit of offering the 2008 champion a head start on this coming season. He will not start from scratch, with his 36 matches in 2024, which remains an advantage. It is both a new start and a form of continuity.
” Nobody is happy with the results of last season but, compared to the season that is coming, I could not imagine a better transition,” says Jon Horst. “It’s so much better to have that foundation. Doc Rivers and I have a foundation that works, with his players. The structure is there, the medical staff. It’s nice to have those games and that time under our belt. It’s a lot better than starting over in the offseason.”
