The Perils of Doc Rivers: Why Milwaukee Bucks Should Swerve the Coaching Deal"

In a surprising turn of events, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at a crucial crossroads as they consider Doc Rivers as their next head coach. However, it's a move that comes with considerable risks, and cautionary tales from Rivers' coaching history suggest that the Bucks should pump the brakes on this potential hiring.

First and foremost, Doc Rivers has a glaring record of postseason disappointments, especially since his championship victory with the Boston Celtics 16 years ago. While the recent reports of a deal with the Bucks have been refuted, the mere consideration of Rivers raises eyebrows across the NBA, with insiders expressing relief among Eastern Conference contenders at the prospect of his potential appointment.

One undeniable red flag is Rivers' alarming track record in critical postseason moments. The NBA has witnessed only 13 blown 3-1 series leads in its history, and astonishingly, Rivers has coached three of them. His Game 7 record stands at 6-10, the most losses for a coach in NBA history. Furthermore, he boasts a meager 34% win rate in games where his teams had a chance to clinch a playoff series, tallying 17 losses – again, the most for any coach in such scenarios in NBA history.

The skepticism around Rivers' coaching abilities is not just a whisper in the NBA corridors; it's a resounding sentiment that extends beyond team loyalties. One rival NBA executive aptly summarized the sentiment when he texted CBS Sports, "And the other Eastern Conference contenders breathe easier."

Rivers' tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, a team loaded with star power, ended without a single appearance in the conference finals over seven seasons. This lack of deep playoff runs is eerily familiar to Sixers fans, as Rivers, during his three years in Philadelphia, couldn't guide his team past the second round. Notably, the Sixers, convinced of Rivers' shortcomings, chose to part ways with him last season.

Choosing Rivers over other viable candidates raises questions about the Bucks' decision-making process. Passing up on the likes of Nick Nurse, only to potentially hire a coach whose assistant they recently fired after just 43 games, adds an element of confusion to Milwaukee's coaching pursuit. Moreover, opting for a coach who was replaced successfully by Nurse in Philly further muddles the decision-making rationale.

Some might argue that Rivers is a "winner" or a "culture" guy, but the facts don't align with these assertions. The prevailing view in NBA circles is that Rivers has often thrown his players under the proverbial bus instead of steering them toward success. His knack for survival over success and a tendency to play the game rather than win it raise concerns about his ability to lead the Bucks to the NBA Finals.

There's a growing sentiment that Rivers might not be the culture builder that many in the media have portrayed him to be. Instances where he may have undermined players like DeAndre Jordan and Ben Simmons, coupled with his sudden departure from the Sixers, suggest that his coaching style might not be the right fit for a team with championship aspirations like the Bucks.

In conclusion, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at a pivotal juncture, contemplating Doc Rivers as their potential head coach. While rumors circulate about a deal being imminent, the cautionary tales from Rivers' coaching history cast doubt on whether he is the right man for the job. The Bucks must carefully weigh the risks and rewards before making a decision that could shape the future of their championship aspirations.

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