The Milwaukee Bucks were bit by the injury bug late in the season and bounced from the playoffs. While people were quick to try and shift blame to Doc Rivers, the aging roster, and the failed trades, the fact of the matter is both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard didn’t play much in the series, if at all. It is hard for any team to win games when their two best players are out. However, the Bucks do have offseason questions, and Rivers is looking to build his staff. Reports indicate he is targeting Sam Cassell.
Milwaukee Bucks Doc Rivers Wants Sam Cassell
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Rivers “plans to make an aggressive push” for the Celtics top assistant. While the head coaches and players take up a lot of the spotlight, assistant coaches are vital to a team’s success. Sam Cassell has been one of the top assistants in the league for a while, and Rivers thinks he could help the Milwaukee Bucks capture another championship. Cassell has previously worked under Rivers during his time with the Clippers and 76ers. They will have stiff competition, though.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Los Angeles Lakers had received permission to interview Sam Cassell for their vacant coaching position. Outside of the Lakers, other teams who will be in need of a head coach may look to hire Cassell. Boston has been a feeder for future head coaches in the past few years. Charles Lee took the Charlotte Hornets job, and Will Hardy left to coach the Jazz. The Milwaukee Bucks hope teams pass so they can bring him onto their staff.
Panic Or Patience For The Bucks?
The media loves to panic about the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis is one of the top players in the NBA. Whenever a top athlete plays for a small market team, losing comes with a barrage of rumors. Ultimately, the injuries to their two star players may have bought the Bucks another year. It is impossible to expect the team to win in the playoffs when they are dealing with huge injuries. I actually applaud the Bucks for not rushing Giannis and Lillard back and risking long-term injury.
Can Rivers improve the coaching staff for the Milwaukee Bucks? He now gets a full offseason to work with the team rather than coming in midseason and trying to pick up the pieces of a first-year head coach. Rivers no doubt will look to bring on Cassell and possibly other top assistants so the team can make another run at an NBA Finals next season.
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Matt Brown has been following sports since he was a kid. It does not matter what sport he is talking about; he tends to be an expert in it. When he is not glued to following sports, he is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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