In the offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard to pair with their franchise centerpiece, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The team hired first-year coach Adrian Griffin, moving on from coach Mike Budenholzer. The inability to adjust to the Heat, leading to a first-round exit, was penned as the reason.
The goal was to take this team back into championship contention and show Giannis they were serious about extending their championship window. While they added more firepower, it came at a steep price, losing championship guard Jrue Holiday.
Milwaukee Bucks Are In A Tail Spin
After a 30-13 start, the Milwaukee Bucks are 17-17 since the midseason hiring Doc Rivers. More concerning is the team having lost 5 of their last 6. Three of those losses are to the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Washington Wizards, a combined 66-167. After the Wizards game, he stated he’s been taking notes of the squad and travel crew and feels they need to bring professionalism and a sense of urgency on the road. These types of remarks are among the comments that ESPN’s JJ Redick made when he said, “There’s never any accountability with this guy.”
The Milwaukee Bucks defense looks worse with Doc Rivers as the coach. They are allowing the eighth-most points in the league. Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley’s backcourt has not improved their on-the-ball defense. While they have added Patrick Beverley since the beginning of the season, he needs to be more consistent offensively to offset the defense he provides.
Milwaukee Bucks Chances Of A First Round Exit
I would put the Milwaukee Bucks on high alert for a first-round exit. Doc Rivers, as a coach, has underperformed in the playoffs. Even with talented players up and down his roster, he can never seem to get the most out of his squads, and they underperform when it counts. Even a former player on this Championship team with the Celtics, NBA Analyst Kendrick Perkins, has found himself questioning his leadership.
The health of the Milwaukee Bucks is also a concern. Khris Middleton has been in and out of the lineup this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo has looked sluggish recently according to Coach Doc Rivers. Patrick Beverley is playing through a torn ligament in his right wrist. Those are two of their main scorers and a key piece of their rotation dealing with health issues. While everyone is probably dealing with something this time of year, that is still concerning based on their current play.
The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a potential matchup with the Miami Heat. The Heat are currently in the 7th spot, and should that remain past the play in the tournament, they would likely draw the Bucks. They have played three times in the playoffs in the last four seasons. The Heat have won 2 of those series, including last year’s upset in the first round. The Miami Heat have a habit of turning it on in the playoffs. Considering these things, the Milwaukee Bucks are likely headed for a first-round exit.
Also Read: Doc Rivers: ESPN Personality Tees Off On His Former Coach
About The Author:
Joseph Laguerre is a hardcore, born-and-raised New York sports fan. He is a Giants, Rangers, Yankees, and long-suffering Knicks supporter. You can find him on X @JavaJoeSports. His writing portfolio is also on his Wix site.
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.