Latest news with #DocRivers
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Projecting Milwaukee Bucks' Rotation Following Free Agency
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks puts his hands on his ... More knees during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at PHX Arena on March 24, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The Milwaukee Bucks worked to keep key pieces in place this offseason while making a few targeted additions. Their hope is to finally get over the postseason hump and advance past the first round for the first time since 2022. Whether they can pull that off remains to be seen. With more roster turnover and a new identity forming, the Bucks head into 2025-26 facing longer odds than they have in any Giannis Antetokounmpo-led season since he reached MVP form back in 2018-19. Before we skip ahead to what might happen in May, let's take stock of what we know now. Here's a projection of Milwaukee's rotation following the major moves of the offseason. Offseason Recap Point Guard Rotation With Antetokounmpo expected to take on even more ball-handling and playmaking duties this season, the Bucks' point guard depth becomes more about fit than labels. Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Cole Anthony all bring something different to the table—but there likely won't be consistent room for all three in the nightly rotation. Rollins brings solid perimeter defense and a reliable jumper. Starting him makes sense if the Bucks want a steady, low-usage guard who can complement Giannis without needing the ball in his hands. That allows Porter Jr. to serve as a spark plug off the bench, where he can lead the second unit, control pace, and create offense. He might finish games even if he doesn't start them. Cole Anthony rounds things out as a bench scorer who can play spot minutes. Shooting Guard Rotation Milwaukee is a bit thin when it comes to true three-and-D wings, but they've got plenty of capable shooting guards. AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. are both sharpshooters who bring different types of floor spacing—Green's quick release and Trent's ability to hit off movement. Ideally, the Bucks stagger them throughout the game, possibly starting both alongside Rollins. That would give Milwaukee three shooters to space the floor around Antetokounmpo while keeping enough athleticism and defensive punch to hold their own. Small Forward Rotation This is where the Bucks' rotation gets tricky. A lot of the minutes here will come from sliding up shooting guards and sliding down power forwards. That's good news for guys like Gary Trent Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Taurean Prince, who can all play the three in certain matchups. Ideally, Trent Jr. starts here, giving the Bucks another shooter on the wing. Prince and Kuzma will split backup minutes at the position—both are better suited for power forward, but Antetokounmpo will dominate those minutes, forcing them to find time elsewhere. Power Forward Rotation This is Giannis' house. The former MVP will take nearly all available minutes at power forward unless the Bucks start experimenting with him at center. Kuzma and Portis will grab some spot minutes here, particularly in non-Giannis lineups. That said, this position is mostly locked down. Center Rotation Myles Turner was Milwaukee's biggest swing in free agency, and he's locked in as the starter at center. He averaged 30 minutes per game last year with Indiana, but Doc Rivers is expected to push that number to 32 or more—similar to what Brook Lopez averaged under his watch. Portis will serve as the backup five and get all of the minutes Turner doesn't play. Giannis-at-center lineups are intriguing, but the Bucks have rarely gone that direction outside of emergencies. Until Rivers shows otherwise, we'll stick with a traditional two-man center rotation.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"We're doomed. Kawhi wants too much special treatment" - Clippers insider says Kawhi Leonard's diva behavior sabotaged the 2020 title run
"We're doomed. Kawhi wants too much special treatment" - Clippers insider says Kawhi Leonard's diva behavior sabotaged the 2020 title run originally appeared on Basketball Network. It began with a helicopter. Two of them, actually — hovering above the private terminal at LAX as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George touched down in July 2019, officially ushering in a new era of Clippers basketball. The Lakers may have gotten Anthony Davis, but L.A. belonged to the other team now. On paper, the Clippers were built for it. Leonard was fresh off a championship run with Toronto. George had just finished third in MVP voting, and the team retained its blue-collar core — Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams. Add Doc Rivers, a championship coach and the deepest bench in the league so the math felt simple — title or bust. A system built on sand By January 2020, the Clippers were 31–14, second in the West. They'd beaten the Lakers on opening night and again on Christmas Day. But cracks had started to show. Leonard was load managing, sitting out back-to-backs. George missed time with shoulder issues. Continuity was a rumor. Inside the locker room, tension simmered. One moment in particular came to define the unease — Kawhi's pregame privacy request. "How do you ever build a strong team with that s— going on?" one team source asked. "I thought from the beginning, 'We're doomed. Kawhi wants too much special treatment.'" According to one beat reporter who covered the team at the time, Leonard asked for a personal space away from teammates before games, a decision that didn't sit well with staffers or players. Some saw it as a red flag and others saw it as a wall. "If there was one dynamic that showed the issues with some of the preferential treatment," the reporter wrote, "It was Leonard's pregame privacy request." The perks extended beyond that. Leonard lived in San Diego and was routinely late to team flights. He and George had input on the schedule, rest days, even practice structure. It was resentment and disconnection. The role players — the ones who had battled through two playoff runs, who nearly knocked off the Golden State Warriors the year before — suddenly felt peripheral. They were now background pieces in a production they had never auditioned for.A collapse in the making By the time the Clippers entered the NBA bubble in Orlando, they still hadn't established a rhythm. Leonard and George had only played 37 games together during the regular season. Harrell missed the beginning of the restart due to a personal emergency. Williams made headlines for leaving the bubble to attend a funeral — and a side trip to Magic City. Still, talent prevailed early. The Clippers dispatched the Mavericks in six games. Leonard was averaging 32 a night. George had rebounded from a shaky start. Up next: the Denver Nuggets — a rising team, but not a rival anyone expected to push them to the brink. Instead, Denver pushed them over it. The Clippers led 3–1 in the series, held double-digit leads in Games 5, 6, and 7 and lost all three. In Game 7, they scored just 33 points in the second half. Leonard finished with 14 points on 6-for-22 shooting. George shot 4-for-16. They lost and they vanished. "I think a lot of the issues that we ran into, talent bailed us out," Lou Williams said after the collapse, airing out his vantage point. "Chemistry, it didn't. In this series, it failed us." Talent had never been the problem. Belief, trust, consistency and the intangibles that championship teams hold close — the Clippers had treated those like luxury items. The franchise gambled that it could layer superstars over a tight-knit culture and win overnight. But culture doesn't stack like blocks. It fractures. Rivers was let go within weeks. Harrell signed with the Lakers. The Clippers retooled again, this time under Ty Lue. Leonard and George stayed, but the illusion of inevitability was gone. In hindsight, the signs were everywhere. A team with title expectations but no emotional center. Two stars with max deals and minimal accountability. A locker room divided not by effort, but by access. Kawhi maybe didn't ask for the kingdom — just control. But in giving it to him, the Clippers lost the belief that everyone was pulling in the same direction. And by the time they realized what it cost, they were already on the flight story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Milwaukee Bucks Power Forward Depth Chart Following Free Agency
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot ... More against the Indiana Pacers during game three of the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum on April 25, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The NBA moves faster than any other league in professional sports. Game 7 of the NBA Finals wrapped up barely a month ago—on June 22—and free agency didn't even start until eight days later. Still, the Milwaukee Bucks' roster is already close to set heading into the new season. And make no mistake—the Bucks are overloaded in the frontcourt. They currently have six players who primarily operate as power forwards or centers. That's going to create some challenges for Doc Rivers when it comes to setting a rotation. It's worth noting: this list doesn't include Bogoljub Markovic, the Bucks' only draft pick this year. He's not under contract on Milwaukee's 15-man roster, and signs point to him spending at least his first pro season overseas. With that out of the way, let's break down the Bucks' power forward depth chart after free agency. Giannis Antetokounmpo The Bucks will go only as far as Antetokounmpo can carry them. Once surrounded by a host of All-Star talent, he's now the lone holdover from the team's recent prime. Milwaukee plans to hand Giannis the keys to the offense full-time. With Damian Lillard out, they flirted with 'Point Giannis' last season—and now it looks like that experiment will become a full-time role in 2025-26. Expect the Bucks to run plenty of sets with Giannis initiating. That means opposing defenses will have to pick their poison: collapse to stop the freight train barreling down the lane, or stay home on shooters spaced around him. Either way, the Bucks are betting on Antetokounmpo to create everything. Kyle Kuzma Kuzma shifted to the small forward spot after arriving in Milwaukee last season, but he's clearly more comfortable at the 4. The problem is that's Giannis' territory. It looks like the Bucks want to slide Kuzma back to his natural position, which could mean fewer minutes and a smaller role—especially after a disappointing stretch post-trade deadline and into the playoffs, where he was pulled from the starting five. Tyler Smith Milwaukee is still in wait-and-see mode with Smith. The Bucks knew he was a project when they grabbed him in the second round of the 2024 draft, but it still stings knowing more polished players like Johnny Furphy, Ajay Mitchell, and Jaylen Wells were drafted after him. For Smith to stick, he has to develop his jumper. If he can turn into a reliable pick-and-pop or stretch-four threat, he might find a niche. But unless there's an injury crisis, don't expect to see much of him this season. Chris Livingston If we're being honest, I should've included Chris Livingston on the small forward depth chart here. He would be beneath Andre Jackson Jr. Livingston looked solid in Summer League, which helped him earn a return to Milwaukee after briefly being released during free agency. Still, he faces a major challenge: he doesn't really have a position. He's not quick enough to stick with wings, and at 6'6", 220 pounds, he's undersized to guard true fours. That tweener status has hurt his development so far, and unless he can carve out a clear role soon, this might be one of his last shots in the league.
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nate Robinson on when Doc Rivers wouldn't play him in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals
Former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has made a reputation for himself as a player's coach in the NBA, and his tenure with the Celtics was no exception. But he also rarely clashes with his players, and his time at the helm of Boston was no exception from that occasional dynamic. One such example comes from Celtics guard alum Nate Robinson, who took some time on an episode of the "Straight Game" podcast hosted by NBA legends Mike Bibby, Ty Ellis, and fellow Boston alum Eddie House to talk about that tiff with Rivers. The fight came in the midst of a high leverage moment, so it makes sense that tensions were high. In Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Celtics, Rivers chose not to play Robinson, which did not go over well with the former Boston floor general. "I played in the Finals," recalled Robinson. "I didn't really get to play like that because Doc Rivers was on some (expletive), but I was mad because we lost by four points." "I said, 'D, I can score four points in my sleep, bro,'" he continued. "I couldn't believe it. He didn't even play me that game. I was hurt watching that confetti fall and watching Kobe Bryant just enjoy ... That could have been us. I was sick." Check out the rest of the details from Robinson's account of that fateful day in the clip embedded above.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"He Don't Wanna Be There": Rockets Legend Says Bucks Need To "Cut The Cord" With Giannis Antetokounmpo
"He Don't Wanna Be There": Rockets Legend Says Bucks Need To "Cut The Cord" With Giannis Antetokounmpo originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Following the Bucks' decision to waive Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner, the future does not look very bright in Milwaukee. They no longer have a top-tier guard with significant experience in the league like they did with Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday before him. Advertisement Therefore, a lot of experts and veterans of the league have suddenly lost faith in Doc Rivers' roster. Among them was the former NBA champion Vernon Maxwell, who appeared on the 'All The Smoke' podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson and expressed his opinion on the Bucks' situation. Barnes and Jackson also agreed with Maxwell that the Bucks' future looks dim with Giannis Antetokounmpo at this moment. "Giannis don't want to be in that motherf***er," said Maxwell as Barnes criticized the Bucks' moves this summer. When Barnes asked him if it's time for the Bucks to rebuild and trade Antetokounmpo, he did not mince his words. 'Yeah, it's rebuilding (time). They've got to cut the cord with Giannis. Let this mothe****er go cause he doesn't want to be there. You know what I mean? But yeah, they're in a rebuilding situation. That sh** is all f***ed up over there in Milwaukee now." "And especially when your main man doesn't want to play with you anymore, and he's done giving you everything he could give you. I mean that man could have left, and he stayed there, you know. They say he don't like to move around a lot so---But it's a good situation for him man, I just think they in rebuilding situation, man, the goddamn Milwaukee Bucks. That sh*** trash over there, I don't know, I wouldn't even want to go there and play.' Advertisement At the end of Bucks' 2024-25 season, there were rumors that Giannis Antetokounmpo is open to considering a move away from the Bucks. If they want to retain him, they will have to give him a championship-contending team. The Bucks no longer have a reliable second option for scoring after they waived Lillard. Jackson went on to criticize the Bucks and claimed that things started going downhill for them when they traded Khris Middleton away. Yes, Turner is a defensively sound big who can stretch the floor for the Bucks, a more skilled Brook Lopez, one could say, but his production is nowhere close to covering for what they lost with Lillard. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks last season, which only replaces what Lopez did for the team. Damian Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds last season. Kyle Kuzma, who joined the team in February after the Middleton trade, averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in the time he has been with the Bucks. Even if they increase his offensive usage, his production is nowhere close to what Lillard brought to the team. Advertisement They extended their point guard, Kevin Porter Jr, on a two-year, $10 million deal. But even he is not a highly rated potential replacement for Lillard on their roster. The Bucks will need to carefully think about their moves in the remaining offseason if they want to compete for a championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo Accused Of Engineering Damian Lillard's Bucks Exit This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
