“It Will Be His Last as a Head Coach in the NBA”: Doc Rivers Gets a Stern Warning From Stephen A. Smith About Giannis and the Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks made a shocking move when they decided to remove Adrian Griffin as the Head Coach for the team more than halfway into the season. While the news is just sinking in, the Bucks were already on the hunt for a replacement. Meanwhile, assistant coach Joe Prunty was expected to take over as interim HC until a new one was appointed. With many options on the table, it seemed like the Bucks were hell-bent on pursuing Championship-winning coach Doc Rivers to take over as the HC.

As per the latest developments, Doc Rivers has agreed to take on the responsibility and sign as the new Head Coach for the Bucks. However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith isn’t on board with this idea and he has his reasons. He asserts that if Rivers has any slip-ups, it could be the end of his career as a coach in the NBA.

Doc Rivers needs to bring the Bucks a title

Stephen A. is known for his unfiltered and unapologetic opinions, and this time was no exception. While he is happy about Doc Rivers’ new position, he sends his friend a fair warning. He says, “If not this season, by next season, you can’t have Giannis and Dame and no title in Milwaukee. That cannot happen.” He has a stark prediction for Rivers’ future if he fails to make an impact, “If Doc Rivers, and I’m not saying this year has to be the year, but if Doc Rivers doesn’t succeed at this job, my prediction is, it will be his last a Head Coach in the NBA.”

The senior sports journalist’s apprehension stems from Rivers’ unsuccessful playoff performances in the past. “On three occasions, he’s blown a 3-1 lead, in Game 7’s, his career record is 6-10 as a coach and he’s lost the last five straight. Now this is it,” he says. With this record, it is difficult for Stephen A. to be optimistic about Rivers’ new role. On the other hand, it has come to light that Rivers was associated with the Bucks before he was appointed HC.

Rivers was working closely with Griffin

The Sixers fired Doc Rivers as HC last year in May after an unsuccessful run in the Conference semi-finals against the Celtics. This prompted him to turn his attention towards broadcasting where he was part of an ESPN broadcast team. In addition to this, he was also working with the Bucks as an ‘informal consultant’ to Adrian Griffin.

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And now he has replaced Griffin as the HC. Rivers is a seasoned coach who has made it to the NBA finals twice, once in 2008 and then in 2010. In 2008, he lifted the Championship as HC for the Celtics. His entry into Milwaukee has resulted in an outpour of mixed emotions. All eyes are on him as he takes the reins.

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Do you think Doc Rivers was a good option for the Bucks? Could they have possibly weighed their options before settling with Rivers? Share your thoughts!