Milwaukee Bucks fans have begged for a head coaching change since, well, the day Doc Rivers was hired. Finally, two-and-a-half seasons and a 96-101 record later, all signs are pointing in that direction. Asked about his coaching future, Rivers all but confirmed his pending departure in an interview on Tuesday.
“I won’t answer that, but I have grandkids that I want to see. I’ll put it that way. I’ll let you figure it out from there. I have seven grandkids now and they’re all eight years and under, and it kills me every time I miss grandparents' day with each one of them in school. It’s probably time to go see them more, so I’ll let you figure out the rest.”
More than just suggesting he will not return next season in Milwaukee, Rivers sounds like someone ready for retirement. Good for him if it means spending more time with his grandkids, and good for Bucks fans who have waited long enough to see a fresh face in charge.
Bucks could finally move on from foolish mistake
Rivers' recent Hall of Fame election may have played a role in his public willingness to ride off into the sunset. Some suggest that it could affect Rivers' transition to the front office. From the sound of it, he may be stepping away from the game altogether, at least professionally.
Certainly, Rivers has put in his dues: 13 seasons as a player and 27 more as a coach. His disastrous Bucks tenure, marked by stubbornness and poor communication with players, has only highlighted how the game has passed him by. For all involved, it's time to move on.
Many Bucks fans began clamoring for this day as soon as Rivers replaced Adrian Griffin midway through the 2023-24 season. The hire never made much sense for a team that, back then, had no problem winning in the regular season. What the Bucks needed was someone to get them over the hump in the playoffs.
Yet, in 10 seasons with the Clippers and 76ers, Rivers failed to advance past the second round, making him a dubious fit at best. Finally, a doomed partnership appears to be nearing its end.
Rivers retiring would be most convenient possible outcome
While it could be argued that Rivers hasn't earned a graceful send-off, a quiet retirement would be the cleanest all-around outcome for the Bucks.
No Shams Charania tweets gloating over his dismissal. No distracting headlines. There will be drama enough surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. No need to heap more negative energy on an already exhausting situation.
Instead, the whole thing could take place under convenient pretenses. Rivers would be stepping down, not kicked to the curb. The Bucks would wish him well, spared from admitting they made an egregious mistake by ever handing him a contract. No one would buy it, of course, but it would lead to less of a spectacle.
Rivers' retirement would also exempt the Bucks from determining what alternative role to give him if, as Stein suggested, they elected to "restructure" his contract rather than commit to an outright firing. While any front-office position would likely be nominal in nature and certainly better than keeping him on as head coach, removing Rivers from the organization would be preferable.
The Bucks don't need him advising the future coaching staff on lineup configurations that split up the team's best weapons, deploying nonsensical rotations, and confusing players about their roles.
They also don't need to carry forward personal grudges or biases cultivated by a poor relationship between coaches and players under Rivers. As much as possible, any toxic residue must be cleansed from the building. Two-and-a-half seasons too late, Rivers seeing himself out would accomplish that.