As head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Doc Rivers has steered the team to a 65-53 mark across one-and-a-half seasons, including a 48-34 record in 2024-25. Milwaukee’s playoff record under Rivers is 3-8. Certainly he has had to navigate unfortunate injuries and suboptimal roster depth, but fans have also complained about his lack of adjustments and unwillingness to play youngsters.
In short, Rivers has not been a resounding success in his replacement of Adrian Griffin, fired midseason in 2023-24. 30-13 at the time of his dismissal, the Bucks went 17-19 under Rivers to finish the season after three games under interim Joe Prunty.
Now, Griffin is reportedly seeking a return to the sidelines. According to Wisconsin-based news outlet WTAQ, he ultimately wants another shot as a head coach. That could result in an ironic reversal of fortunes sometime in the future.
Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee Bucks, Doc Rivers
Jan 14, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin reacts in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Griffin’s Baffling Milwaukee Bucks Tenure
Reports indicate that Griffin is in the running for an assistant position with the Memphis Grizzlies. Covering stops with the Bucks, Bulls, Magic, Thunder and Raptors, that is the role in which spent his entire NBA coaching career, begun in 2008-09, before taking the lead job in Milwaukee.
His firing caused consternation then and it hasn’t completely cleared up since. Canning a guy who has won over two-thirds of his games is not common practice – to say the least. Something must have been very wrong behind the scenes.
WTAQ cites “communications breakdowns between the coach and his players” as a driving factor in his termination.
Whatever the reason for firing, the Bucks have not come close to Griffin’s 69.8% winning percentage with Rivers at the helm. That is not to say Griffin would be doing any better in his place, but the irony is strong nonetheless. What if he had been allowed to grow as a coach? Would the team be better off?
More relevant to the present moment, will another team give him a chance? Bizarre as it was, his sudden departure from the Bucks amidst a 30-13 season could be interpreted as a major red flag.
Milwaukee Bucks, Adrian Griffin, Doc Rivers
Dec 27, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin reacts during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Will Rivers Avoid Similar Last Chapter in Milwaukee?
Maybe Griffin will attract attention as a head coaching candidate after a few seasons in Memphis. As for the Bucks, it seems that Rivers is secure at the helm for at least 2025-26. As he is the team’s third coach in as many seasons, maybe the franchise wants to retain some stability. Before Griffin, Mike Budenholzer got the ax following Milwaukee’s first round exit in 2023.
Anxiety over repeating that disaster may have motivated the front office to act quickly in dismissing the former. Unfortunately the move has not paid off, as the Bucks now sit on three straight Round One defeats.
Depending on how things go next season, the irony could grow richer. What if Rivers is fired while, a few years down the road, Griffin is coaching somewhere else? Worse, what if he is doing well?
Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks, Adrian Griffin
Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers call a timeout in the fourth 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
The NBA is a ruthless business. Last season, Taylor Jenkins was axed amidst a playoff run for the Grizzlies. The Nuggets followed suit canning championship coach Michael Malone. If the Bucks do not start 2025-26 off on the right foot, Rivers could be in danger of facing Griffin’s same fate.
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