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Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addressed the departure from his role following a disastrous season.
In a recent interview with NBA insider Marc Spears, Rivers did not hold back, saying that it was solely his decision to step down as head coach of Milwaukee.
“It wasn’t a hard decision. It’s probably on your mind your last couple years,” Rivers said. “It had nothing to do with the season or anything like that. There’s times where you feel like you’ve had your run. I still love it. I still love coaching. But I don’t ever want my job to become work. I guess that is the best way of saying that. It’s more of a labor of love. So, I just felt like it was time. It was not like some lightning strike or something like that. I told ownership that a while ago."
The 64-year-old head coach also admitted that he wishes he had told his players he was stepping down at the conclusion of the season.
“The Bucks [ownership and executives] knew because obviously we had told them,” Rivers said. “But the [cameraman] during the national anthem, the guy just stood there the whole time [in front of me]. It was tough getting through that. Tyrese [Maxey] knew on the other team. That’s why he came over before the game because my son, Spencer, told him. But it was cool.
“I didn’t want to tell the players anything, and I probably should have. After the game, I should have said something. As I always say, ‘You don’t get everything right.’ I didn’t go in the locker room after we won the title [in Boston]. You make decisions. I may be the only coach in the history of sports that did not go into the locker room after you win the NBA title. When you see all the champagne, there’s no me in there.”
Bucks Move On After Failed Doc Rivers Tenure
Rivers' time in Milwaukee was certainly one to forget. In three seasons at the helm, Rivers guided the Bucks to two playoff appearances; however, they failed to win a series, losing in the first round to the Indiana Pacers in consecutive seasons.
Overall, the Bucks collected a 97-103 record with Rivers as head coach. This season was by far his worst as a head coach. Not only did the Bucks' season come with poor play and a lack of chemistry, but it was also accompanied by injuries and off-court drama — particularly surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks' season was certainly one to forget, and now the conversation surrounds Antetokounmpo and his future with the team. On top of that, Milwaukee will search for its 19th head coach in franchise history.
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