The chance of Doc Rivers getting fired by the Milwaukee Bucks, a popular suggestion shortly after their elimination, won’t be happening soon as general manager Jon Horst just vouched for him during the introduction of new acquisition Myles Turner to the press on Friday.
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Mar 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
He did not just vouch for him. He also sees the one-time champion coach in high regard, giving him the title of the best coach in the world while suggesting that they did correct moves this offseason.
“This off-season, the balance in the east, all that stuff it doesn’t matter..
“We’ve got the best player in the world, the best coach in the world, we have a system that I think maximizes giannis’ [Antetokounmpo] talent and now we have the best counterpart next to him to maximize his talent even more.”
Doc Rivers (right) speaks at a press conference with general manager Jon Horst as Rivers
Jan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Doc Rivers (right) speaks at a press conference with general manager Jon Horst as Rivers is introduced as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
“And that’s the whole reason why we’ve done what we’ve done, and what we’re going to continue to do each and every time we get the chance.”
Rivers came to the team mid-season in 2023 and hasn’t achieved anything significant so far. The Bucks exited the first round of the playoffs in the last two seasons, both in the hands of Indiana Pacers.
Doc Rivers agree with Jon Horst about latest activities
Antetokounmpo is at the center of everything that the Bucks did so far in the offseason and just like Horst, Rivers agree that they found the correct players to complement him.
The team let go Brook Lopez and Damian Lillard to make way for Turner who just like the former is a capable center with outside shooting. Rivers sees Turner as a great player next to their superstar.
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Doc Rivers
Jan 31, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers watches forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
“If you could sit down before free agency started and draw the perfect fit next to Giannis, it was a picture of him,” Rivers said during the press-con.
“I don’t think people get how hard it is to win enough. Just, people don’t get it. Myles and I started talking about it … and I said, ‘Yeah, winning is hard, man. And it takes everything out of you, and everything has to go right. Health and playing together and the team meshing and the right shot. It just takes so much.’”
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