In a surprising turn of events, the Milwaukee Bucks opted to part ways with Adrian Griffin, a first-year head coach who had managed to guide the team to an impressive 30-13 record. The decision left many scratching their heads considering the Bucks record, but the team reportedly lost faith in Griffin prompting an immediate move. Milwaukee’s brass didn’t hesitate to fill the vacancy, appointing Doc Rivers, a seasoned veteran in the coaching realm, as his replacement mid-season.
Rivers’ arrival was met with some hope and a ton of skepticism. While his track record boasts an impressive array of victories and a coveted NBA title back in 2008, his career has been marred by postseason disappointments, a fact not lost on NBA. His runs with the Clippers and 76ers were highlighted by monumental postseason collapses. Though, it’s fair to see neither team possessed a sterling playoff resume prior to Rivers’ arrival.
Since Rivers took over for Griffin, the Bucks have stumbled out of the gate, suffering back-to-back defeats and displaying a noticeable lack of cohesion on both ends of the court. The defense — which was the primary issue under Griffin’s watch — was embarrassed Wednesday night in Damian Lillard’s return to Portland. The lowly Blazers shot 53-percent from the field, 43-percent from three, and 100-percent from the line in the upset win.
The closing sequence of the Milwaukee loss was especially troubling. With just a few seconds remaining and the Bucks facing a three-point deficit, Rivers drew up a play for Lillard (all-time great shooter) to inbound the ball to Giannis Antetokounmpo (terrible shooter). The Blazers were able to foul the two-time MVP before he could hoist up a shot, but Antetokounmpo missed both free throws effectively ending the game.
This roster is old and slow. In the two games under Rivers watch, the youngest player who has seen any sort of playing time is 27-year-old Malik Beasley. The backcourt of Beasley and Lillard was always going to be a problem defensively, but it’s compounded by the fact that Brook Lopez is mostly bound to the paint and Khris Middleton has regressed mightily on the defensive end.
A lackluster bench is also a major concern. With little depth and a roster filled with unproven talent, the team has struggled to find reliable contributors to fit alongside the main core. This dearth of reliable options has placed added pressure on the team’s stars, further magnifying their need for defensive reinforcements. Perhaps a trade including Bobby Portis alongside one of the young talents (Andre Jackson Jr. or MarJon Beauchamp) is in the cards, but that package isn’t netting a star — and doesn’t even guarantee a player who is significantly better than Portis.
With rumors swirling and the trade deadline looming, the Bucks find themselves at a crossroads. While the temptation to make a splashy move to bolster their defense is undoubtedly strong, the team must tread carefully to avoid further disrupting their delicate balance. Whether Rivers can right the ship and guide the Bucks back to contention remains to be seen, but the road ahead will be fraught with challenges.
