Doc Rivers is poised to begin his coaching career in a venue where his jersey hangs from the rafters.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday night that they have hired Rivers to replace Adrian Griffin, who was dismissed on Tuesday after only 43 games. Rivers played at Marquette from 1980 to 1983, and his No. 31 collegiate jersey has been retired.
“This is an excellent opportunity to join a first-class organization with a talented roster of high-character players,” Rivers said in a statement distributed by the team.
The Bucks made the announcement in the final minute of their 112-100 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rivers will be introduced at a Saturday news conference.
“Talked to him today, and he’s on board with us and knows that the expectations of this team are really high,” Bucks forward Bobby Portis said. “I think he’s ready for it.”
This move represents a major shift in terms of head coaching experience.
Griffin had never been a head coach before the Bucks hired him last summer, though he had 16 seasons of experience as an assistant. Rivers won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008, and his background as a head coach extends almost a quarter century.
Rivers owns a 1,097-763 regular-season record and 111-104 playoff mark in 24 seasons with the Orlando Magic (1999-2004), Celtics (2004-13), Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20) and Philadelphia 76ers (2020-23). His 1,097 regular-season wins put him one shy of Larry Brown for eighth most in NBA history.
“Great voice,” Portis said. “Someone obviously who’s had success in this league, who has respect in this league. Big-name coach. Top-15 coach of all-time. I can go on and on.”
Joe Prunty, an assistant on Griffin’s staff, had served as interim head coach for the Bucks’ last two games.
In search for postseason run
Taking over a club that has two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard provides Rivers an opportunity to make the deep playoff run that has evaded him since leaving Boston.
Milwaukee trails only the Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings, albeit the Bucks’ schedule becomes considerably more difficult the rest of the season.
This occasion allows Rivers to atone for his recent postseason frustrations.
He was fired by the 76ers last year after a third straight second-round exit from the playoffs. Rivers’ teams haven’t reached the NBA Finals since his 2010 Celtics lost Game 7 to the Los Angeles Lakers. His Clippers and 76ers teams never got beyond the second round.
“I think it’s just the leadership that I think he can bring,” Bucks guard Pat Connaughton said. “He has that same past-player perspective that Griff had, but he’s been doing it a long time and he’s won a championship.”
