Celtics Will See Familiar Face In Playoff Pursuit As Doc Rivers Reportedly Joins Bucks’.
The Milwaukee Bucks began their pursuit of the Boston Celtics on Tuesday by hiring Doc Rivers to replace Andria Griffin as the team’s head coach, NBA television channels TNT and CNN Sports reported.
Rivers was seen as a likely pick earlier in the day, with the move filling in for hours. Most in-season hires come from catastrophic deficits or large gaps in the team. But when Rivers joined the Bucks, that’s not quite the case. Milwaukee is 30-13, just 3 1/2 games behind the Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference.
However, the Bucks have had some struggles this season, which could be a concern in the bigger picture, especially for the upcoming playoffs. Milwaukee ranks in the bottom third of the NBA in defensive rating (116.8), along with opponents’ scoring (54.0 per game) and second-chance points. Can Rivers help the Bucks get back on track?.
Milwaukee’s star power is Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton to win their second title in four years. The Bucks also have capable role players, giving Rivers plenty of talent to work with. Ultimately, it will be up to Rivers to bring a capable group back to its potential in a talented Eastern Conference. After winning a championship with Boston in 2008, the Celtics are no strangers to seeing Rivers in key positions. He lost to the 62-year-old in seven games against the 76ers in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals. Now Rivers is making the jump to the playoffs less than three months before the season begins.
