NBA legend Kevin Garnett defended Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers after the team’s first-round playoff loss, saying the issue is player fit rather than coaching.
Kevin Garnett has stepped in to defend Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers after another early playoff exit, saying the team’s problems have more to do with the roster than the man on the sidelines.
“I really think that it’s just because of the players,” Garnett said. “Every player can’t play for him. Every player doesn’t fit his style. Doc really is a gritty guy who wants to really defend for 48 minutes and grind you.”
Rivers, who took over midway through the 2023–24 season, faced another turbulent year in 2024–25.
The Bucks stumbled out of the gate with a 2–8 record before finding their footing and winning eight of nine to climb to 10–9 by late November.
They dominated the NBA Cup, going undefeated and lifting the trophy with a December 17 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Still, the regular season brought disappointment, as Milwaukee lost the Central Division crown for the first time since 2017–18 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
February saw a major shakeup when the Bucks traded long-time forward Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma. Middleton’s departure ended a 10-plus-year run in Milwaukee, highlighted by the 2021 championship.
The Bucks locked in their ninth straight playoff appearance on April 5, but their postseason run was cut short once again. Facing the Indiana Pacers in the first round, Milwaukee fell in five games. Damian Lillard season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4 proved to be a major blow.
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