Former Milwaukee Bucks Player Calls Out Franchise For Bringing In Doc Rivers
The Milwaukee Bucks have been the center of attention in the NBA all year. The franchise is about to get even more attention. Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder recently reminded everyone of this when he quote-tweeted a two-year-old report about a pivotal moment in the franchise’s recent history, adding a comment that has sent shockwaves through the NBA community.
As new reports surface about potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, Crowder’s post provides a revealing glimpse into the locker room’s perspective on the team’s trajectory. It points to a specific decision that, in his view, marked the beginning of the franchise’s current instability.
Milwaukee Bucks: “This Is What Started the Avalanche”
The social media post in question was a retweet of Adrian Wojnarowski’s January 2024 report announcing the firing of then-head coach Adrian Griffin. At the time, the move was stunning. Griffin had led the Bucks to a 30-13 record, one of the best in the NBA. Crowder’s added commentary was blunt and direct: “WE WERE 30-13 BTW. TO BRING IN DOC. THIS IS WHAT STARTED THE AVALANCHE”.
This comment from a respected veteran like Jae Crowder is significant. It’s not just a player venting; it’s a public critique of a major organizational decision. Crowder is explicitly stating that the choice to fire a coach with a winning record and replace him with Doc Rivers was the catalyst for the team’s subsequent struggles and, by extension, the current drama surrounding its superstar.
His use of the word “avalanche” paints a picture of a single choice triggering a cascade of negative events. It suggests that the locker room may have felt the team was on the right path under Griffin, only to have that momentum disrupted by a questionable front-office decision.
Contextualizing the Milwaukee Bucks Coaching Decisions
To fully appreciate Crowder’s comment, it’s important to revisit the context of that 2024 coaching change. The Bucks hired Adrian Griffin, a first-time head coach, to lead a championship-contending roster. Despite the strong 30-13 start, there were underlying concerns about the team’s defense and overall chemistry. The front office, feeling the immense pressure to win another title with Giannis Antetokounmpo, made a swift and decisive move.
They fired Griffin and brought in Doc Rivers, a veteran coach with a championship pedigree. The thinking was that Rivers’ experience would be the final piece needed to get the team over the hump. However, the team’s performance under Rivers did not markedly improve, and they ultimately fell short of their championship goals.
Crowder’s tweet suggests that, from a player’s perspective, the front office overreacted. They traded a winning record for a big name, and in doing so, they may have fractured the team’s foundation. This public criticism from a key role player raises serious questions about the alignment between the front office and the locker room.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo Factor
Crowder’s tweet does not exist in a vacuum. It comes at a time when ESPN has reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home, with the Bucks reportedly beginning to listen to trade offers. This adds a critical layer to the situation.
If a key veteran like Crowder believes the coaching change in 2024 was the start of the “avalanche,” it’s plausible that the team’s superstar felt the same way. Superstars in the NBA crave stability and a clear path to winning. When a front office makes a move that seemingly destabilizes a winning team, it can erode trust.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are not just about wins and losses; they are about the franchise’s ability to build and maintain a championship environment. Crowder’s comment implies that the players feel the organization’s decision-making has been flawed. This perception of instability could be a major factor in Antetokounmpo’s alleged desire to move on.
Implications for the Bucks’ Future
Jae Crowder’s decision to publicly voice his opinion is a clear sign of internal frustration. While he is just one player, his veteran status gives his words weight. It suggests that the players may hold the front office accountable for the team’s current predicament.
For the Milwaukee Bucks, this is a difficult situation. They are now facing the potential departure of a generational talent, and one of their own players is publicly pointing to a past decision as the root cause. It puts the organization’s judgment under a microscope at the worst possible time.
As the trade deadline approaches and the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors intensify, the front office must navigate not only the trade market but also a locker room that appears to have lost faith in its direction. Jae Crowder’s tweet may have just been a few words, but it speaks volumes about the challenges facing the Milwaukee Bucks. The “avalanche” he mentioned may be far from over.
