Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Clear Statement About Doc Rivers

Despite a 30-13 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t satisfied with the job that former head coach Adrian Griffin was doing.

Griffin took over as the team’s new head coach before the 2023-24 NBA season after the Bucks flamed out in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

However, things got off to an odd start after former assistant coach Terry Stotts left the staff before the regular season started.

Even though the Bucks were winning games, the team looked disorganized on both sides of the floor and management decided to fire Griffin.

Milwaukee quickly pivoted, hiring Doc Rivers and signing him to a four-year, $40 million deal.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finally spoke about Rivers’ hiring for the first time publicly and made a strong statement about his new head coach via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“You could tell what he’s built of. He’s tough. It’s hard to take this job,” Antetokounmpo said.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard recognize the stakes for the Bucks.

They know that’s why Doc Rivers is here, and they appreciate him for it.

The goal is a championship. Nothing less.

Let the work begin, writes @eric_nehm.https://t.co/mBIZDQjXPS pic.twitter.com/Vs62GGBMJ9

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 28, 2024

Rivers is uniquely equipped to coach a team like the Bucks because he’s won an NBA championship with superstars before.

Antetokoummpo is quietly having another dominant season and must be feeling the pressure of winning another NBA title.

Rivers got off to a strong start in his head coaching debut with Milwaukee as the Bucks blew out the New Orleans Pelicans.

However, one regular season isn’t nearly enough for Rivers to prove that he’s the man for the job.

The former Boston Celtics head coach has had his fair share of hiccups in the playoffs, so it’ll be interesting to see how he handles such a high-stakes position.

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Bucks Veteran Reveals Doc Rivers’ First Words To The Team