Doc Rivers was officially introduced as Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach on Saturday at Fiserv Forum.
A star at Marquette in the early 1980’s, Rivers said “it’s great to be back. It took me awhile. Being back here is a dream.”
The 62-year-old Rivers brings 24 seasons of NBA head coaching experience. “I’ve been through everything…At the end of the day, this is a relationship business…In leadership, you’re not going to be popular all the time,” said Rivers.
This is a new experience in the sense that Rivers has never taken over a team at mid season before. “I’ve never done this. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” said Rivers.
Rivers says he had chances at other jobs, but mentioned Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard as the main lures of the Bucks job.
Rivers coached Philadelphia last season. He was working for ESPN/ABC when the Bucks called. “Coaching’s a stressful job. But I love what I do,” said Rivers.
Rivers’ first game as coach of the Bucks will be Monday night in Denver. He is still getting acclimated to the job, but feels the Bucks need to find an identity and he’s well aware of their defensive shortcomings.
Rivers says the Bucks are one of the teams that win a title and he doesn’t shy away from the high expectations. “You want expectations…
I don’t have anything to prove…I like winning,” said Rivers.
More than once Rivers said “we’ll make changes. We have to.”
He knows there’s a reason Adrian Griffin was dismissed. Now the Bucks’ title hopes are on Doc. “Our goal is to be great the end of the season,” said Rivers.
Of the Bucks players, who he talked to Friday after shootaround, Rivers said “they’re all willing. We just have to figure out how.”