‘Outspoken’ ESPN star SLAMS Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers over early season struggles

Stephen A. Smith joins other to criticize Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers amid slow and losing start.

‘Outspoken’ ESPN star SLAMS Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers over early season struggles

Stephen A. Smith criticizes coach Doc Rivers for the Bucks poor start to the season

It has not been the best of starts for the Milwaukee Bucks as they suffered their third loss in four games, where they fell 119-108 to the Boston Celtics on Monday. Despite a star-studded roster that featured Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, concerns have grown among fans and the media.

Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, controversial and outspoken analyst, Stephen A. Smith expressed his thoughts on Bucks head coach Doc Rivers after the latest loss. Rivers, who took over as coach mid-last season, led the team to a 49-33 record and third seed in the Eastern Conference.

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I don’t know what the hell is going on right now, but they better get it together. Doc Rivers… If he doesn’t get it done this year, this could be it for him for his career as a head coach in the National Basketball Association.

Stephen A. Smith said

The recent loss against the Celtics was unfortunate as his reaction said it all: Payton Pritchard’s game changing shot flew in. However, most critics are sharing the blame as a poor chemistry between their two biggest stars has been called into question.

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Moving forward, the Bucks face the Memphis Grizzlies next and are still without the injured three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton. Middleton’s absence impacts the team, given his impressive stats of 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game last season.

Doc Rivers defends his team performance as Celtics Dominate Bucks 119-108

It was a sad night for the Milwaukee Bucks and their fans as they fell to 1-3 after a bitter 119-108 loss to the undefeated Boston Celtics. The game was close, until Boston’s depth took over in the third quarter, led by Payton Pritchard’s 28 points off the bench.

Speaking after the game, embattled coach Doc Rivers came to his team’s defense. And rightly so, this was a better performance by the Bucks despite the loss.

We played two horrible games and there’s no excuse for that. But it happens. I thought we played relatively well (against the Celtics), but we couldn’t sustain it tonight. But I think our guys like where we’re going… I don’t like moral victories, but I just thought that’s what we can be, at least for three quarters… thought we kind of ran out of gas a little bit.

Coach Doc Rivers said via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm

During the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points) and Damian Lillard (33 points) delivered strong performances for Milwaukee, but only two other Bucks players scored in double figures. In contrast, six Celtics players reached double digits, as Jaylen Brown led the way with 30 points.

The loss was attributed to the C’s 3-point shooting, which proved decisive, as they converted 18-of-47 attempts (38.3%). The Bucks struggled from beyond the arc and made just 8-of-31 shots (25.8%).