The Bucks changed their tune last week by deciding to part ways withAdrian Griffinrookie coach, to take on one of the most experienced coaches on the market in the person of Doc Rivers. The Wisconsin franchise needed to find certainty for this role, and the new strong man on the Milwaukee bench seems to check all the boxes.
For his first public intervention on the subject, Giannis Antetokounmpo painted a laudatory portrait of coach Rivers, to say the least, starting with this desire to win which transpired in his first speech on Saturday, and to bring back a title to the Bucks this season.
“I think that says a lot”, he confided after returning 30 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists against the Pelicans. “You could say he was made for that. He's tough. It's not easy to take this job. When you lose, you feel like it's the end of the world. When we win by five points, people will ask you why you didn't win by 20 points? You have Giannis, you have Dame (Lillard), Khris (Middleton)… It’s tough. It's never good enough. Just a title is good enough. It’s gotten to this point, which is crazy. But that suits me. I can sleep well at night like this. And I think that having someone who also agrees with that, and is confident, it improves the environment and the atmosphere in the locker room.”
Finding the Finals, the ultimate challenge
After trusting Adrian Griffin, although with a few clashes along the way, the leader of the Bucks is satisfied to see an experienced coach arrive. Rivers knows the challenges that come his way and has coached superstars before.
“We know that he played difficult matches, that he participated in two NBA finals. He's already experienced this. We knew it once, and we want to go back. Sometimes being around people with that experience helps. When it's hard, when you face challenges, when things aren't going your way, it's important to have someone to tell you: “Hey, I've been through this before, this is what what we are going to do and how we are going to stay united. Don't worry about expectations. We have to do this as a team.” Someone who will guide you, show you the direction. It's always great to have it in your locker room. So I’m excited that he understands that we’re trying to win a title.”
The “Greek Freak” also recalls that one of his first NBA memories dates back to his teenage years, when he was 13 years old. It was during the 2008 NBA Finals won by the Celtics of the Allen-Pierce-Garnett trio against the Lakers, with Doc Rivers as coach.
“We fast forward and 16-17 years later, we find ourselves in the same locker room, and I have to do what I can to help this team and follow their direction,” continues Giannis Antetokounmpo. “So I’m excited. He's an NBA legend. He accomplished great things there, and I hope we can achieve great things together.”
As a symbol, the first match of this new era will take place this evening on the floor of Denver… the reigning champion!
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | MIL | 77 | 25 | 41.4 | 34.7 | 68.3 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 6.8 |
| 2014-15 | MIL | 81 | 31 | 49.1 | 15.9 | 74.1 | 1.2 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | MIL | 80 | 35 | 50.6 | 25.7 | 72.4 | 1.4 | 6.2 | 7.7 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 16.9 |
| 2016-17 | MIL | 80 | 36 | 52.1 | 27.2 | 77.0 | 1.8 | 7.0 | 8.8 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 22.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIL | 75 | 37 | 52.9 | 30.7 | 76.0 | 2.1 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 ★ | MIL | 72 | 33 | 57.8 | 25.6 | 72.9 | 2.2 | 10.3 | 12.5 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 27.7 |
| 2019-20 ★ | MIL | 63 | 30 | 55.3 | 30.4 | 63.3 | 2.2 | 11.4 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 29.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 61 | 33 | 56.9 | 30.3 | 68.5 | 1.6 | 9.4 | 11.0 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 67 | 33 | 55.3 | 29.3 | 72.2 | 2.0 | 9.6 | 11.6 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 29.9 |
| 2022-23 | MIL | 63 | 32 | 55.3 | 27.5 | 64.5 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 5.7 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 31.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 44 | 35 | 60.8 | 25.0 | 66.4 | 2.6 | 9.0 | 11.7 | 6.2 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 31.0 |
| Total | 763 | 33 | 54.2 | 28.5 | 70.4 | 1.8 | 7.9 | 9.7 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 23.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
