The Bucks have clearly reached their wit’s end with head coach Doc Rivers, and the perfect replacement is hiding in plain sight: Tom Thibodeau. Thibs’ track record speaks for itself, and he has shown plenty of interest in coaching an NBA team again. His focus on defensive intensity and ability to connect with players is exactly what the Bucks need to replace the disappointing Rivers.
Tom Thibodeau can help the Bucks turn it around
Thibs was dismissed by the Knicks last summer after leading them to their first conference finals in 25 seasons. Since replacing him with Mike Brown, the Knicks have seen less success than expected - especially on defense. That’s no surprise considering Thibs’ reputation as a defensive guru.
Ironically, Thibodeau first rose to fame as an assistant coach under Doc Rivers in Boston. There, Rivers was the head coach, and Thibs was an associate coach in charge of the defense. Their joint efforts helped the Celtics claim the 2008 championship.
Since then, Rivers has frequently disappointed along various stops while Thibs has brought out the best in his teams - especially on defense. That’s where the Bucks have struggled most this season, and bringing in a well-respected coach could fix some of those issues.
But Thibs wouldn’t just be a great hire for his defensive acumen. He’s also known for connecting with players on a personal level that Rivers has never reached. That’s even more apparent with the young players on the Bucks, who have generally not developed well under Doc’s tenure.
But Thibodeau has thrived with young talent and underdog teams before. He coached the youngest ever MVP in 2011 when Derrick Rose won the prestigious honor. That season would also be the first Coach of the Year award for Thibs, who won again in 2021.
His two victories in the award race a decade apart also show Thibodeau’s adaptiveness to the modern game. Unlike Doc, he’s constantly refining his strategies with current trends in the league and his own roster’s strengths. This led to a franchise turnaround for the Timberwolves and Knicks in recent seasons, even before the arrival of undeniable All-NBA talent like Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson.
The Bucks have pushed themselves into a very desperate position. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, it’s likely too late to make a huge deal that could save the season. But they still have a very obvious move with major potential benefits: a coaching change.
Tom Thibodeau is the perfect man to lead the Bucks. He has prior experience turning around ailing franchises, and his renewed vigor is exactly what the Bucks need. Dismissing Doc Rivers and hiring Thibs might be the only way for the Bucks to save their team going forward.