It was reported on Tuesday that Milwaukee Bucks head coach and former Boston Celtics leader Doc Rivers will be part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
NBCSports.com lead NBA writer Kurt Helin said on Thursday that Rivers’ good times could end there, as the Bucks (30-46) limp toward the end of the regular season.
“It’s going to be weird when Doc Rivers is elected to the Hall of Fame one week and let go a couple of weeks later,” Helin wrote. “The expectation around the league is that is exactly what will happen, no matter what Giannis Antetokounmpo decides to do this summer. The Bucks have been a disappointment, and to be fair, part of that is Antetokounmpo only playing in 36 games. Another issue is a patchwork roster put around the Greek Freak. That said, this team should be better than it is.”
Helin included Rivers among five NBA coaches on the “hot seat” on Thursday and argued that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks won’t impact the 64-year-old’s status with the team.
“Rivers did not connect with and elevate this roster, and things like his insistence on his team getting back and not crashing the offensive glass seem at odds with where the game is headed,” he wrote. “One of two things is going to happen in Milwaukee this summer. One scenario is Antetokounmpo forces his way out via trade, in which case the Bucks will not want Rivers to coach a rebuilding team. The other is Antetokounmpo re-signs in Milwaukee, and the Bucks are looking to contend — Rivers has already not connected with this roster, the front office would be looking for a new voice. Either way, it seems likely Rivers is shown the door.”
The former one-time All-Star point guard’s coaching career began with the Orlando Magic in 1999 and continued with the Celtics from 2004 to 2013.
With a big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen leading the way, Rivers helped Boston win the NBA title in 2008.
He coached the Los Angeles Clippers (2013 to 2020) and Philadelphia 76ers (2020 to 2023) before joining Milwaukee.
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