Milwaukee Bucks 2024-2025 season may have ended in the most devastating but they are turning over a new leaf and Doc Rivers appears to be confident with their chances despite their last finish.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA Free Agency
Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and center Brook Lopez (11) and guard Damian Lillard (0) on the court during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
The team are entering a new era after dropping Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner. They also did not re-sign starting five member Brook Lopez and 2021 championship member Pat Connaughton. They also re-signed most of their role players namely Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, and Taurean Prince.
Some critics don’t think the Bucks have not done enough but for Rivers, he thinks they remain in contention. Main reason being is the fact that the league is now wide open.
“I don’t think the NBA has been more open to anybody winning a title in 20 years,” Rivers said during an appearance at the SiriusXM NBA Radio.
USATSI 26034423
Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
“Seven new champions in a row.”
Rivers might be on to something here. A number of low-seeded teams reached the NBA finals in the last five seasons. Miami Heat of 2024 and last season’s finalists Indiana Pacers are prime examples.
Doc Rivers names one team that can be a dynasty
The last team to win a back to back title were the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 and that squad was built as a super team.
While he believes that there is no dominant team right now, he acknowledged that there is one team that has the potential to become. That is the 2025 champions Oklahoma City Thunder.
“There’s no Bulls team right now. Now, Oklahoma scares the hell out of you because they could become that,” he said.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jun 24, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks to fans during the Oklahoma City Thunder Champions parade. Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
“But there’s no dynasty team right now. And so each year, if you are a good team, you actually literally have a chance to win. And so there’s gonna be a team this year, I guarantee you, that we don’t know right now that’s gonna be in the thick of things.”
This situation is what makes Rivers believe that there’s a chance for many teams to win the title.
“And five years ago, that would never happen. You can pick the teams that had a chance to win and the other ones that didn’t. Right now, that’s not true anymore.”
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!