Sixers Eastern Conference Preview: Will Doc Rivers Lead the Bucks to a Championship?
The Bucks faced tough choices after a disappointing playoff exit at the end of the 2022-23 season. They traded Jrue Holiday and several assets to acquire superstar point guard Damian Lillard, hoping that a partnership between Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo would elevate the team’s potential. Additionally, they parted ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer, who had led them to a championship just a few years prior, and hired longtime assistant Adrian Griffin Sr. as his replacement.
However, just 43 games into the 2023-24 season, Milwaukee made the unusual decision to fire Griffin. Despite having a strong record of 33-10 at that point, the team’s leadership felt Griffin wasn’t the right fit for the job. Rather than dwell on their mistake, they acted decisively and let go of the rookie head coach.
Griffin was succeeded by a coach with extensive experience—Doc Rivers—who had been working as an NBA analyst for ESPN after being dismissed by the Sixers following three straight disappointing playoff exits.
Amid the significant roster changes and a wave of injuries hitting the Bucks at critical moments, the franchise struggled to find its rhythm in the 2023-24 season, ultimately suffering a first-round playoff elimination at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.
Looking ahead, one of the most crucial steps for the Bucks this offseason is to stabilize their operations by establishing a cohesive coaching staff and ensuring that all of the team’s core players are aligned.
