Reports indicate the Bucks are finalizing a deal with Doc Rivers to become the team’s next head coach.
Rivers is no stranger to Milwaukee. He was a star at Marquette and remains very involved with the university. Rivers and Marquette coach Shaka Smart are friends.
Rivers has 25 years of NBA head coaching experience. Orlando, Boston (where he won the NBA championship in 2008), LA Clippers (where he helped navigate the Donald Sterling scandal) and Philadelphia.
I first met Doc in 1991 when I had to go to his in-laws house to get his reaction to being traded from the Hawks to the Clippers.
In the time since, he has proven to be an excellent communicator. That’s why he’s been in such demand for television work. He’s leaving the ESPN/ABC top crew to come to the Bucks.
Rivers will calm the waters after the Adrian Griffin hire didn’t work. No one (players included) can tell him anything he doesn’t know. He should have the gravitas to get everyone to buy in.
Doc is 62 years old. He’s not coming here out of civic duty or to contend. He’s coming here to win championships. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, that vision has to match Bucks management.
Welcome back Doc. This house call should be interesting.