Doc Rivers on Bucks
The National Basketball Association championship is not claimed on a sprint, so yesterday’s loss did not necessarily handicap the Bucks’ chances. There is, after all, still half the season left to negotiate. Nonetheless, there was no question that they wanted to emerge victorious for reasons other than bettering their second-best record in the East. To begin with, the outing was Doc Rivers’ first as head coach for the green and white; a triumph would have sent the right signals following the unceremonious firing of Adrian Griffin. There was also the not inconsequential matter of flexing their muscles against the highly regarded Nuggets.
Given that the Bucks wound up on the wrong end of the final score, it’s fair to contend that they failed on both counts. Never mind that they played at Ball Arena, whose high altitude combined with 19,801 diehard fans compounded the challenge. Perhaps owing to Rivers’ predilections, they displayed a much slower pace throughout the set-to, and, as a result, shot poorly from the field. Outside of veterans Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez, no player who took more than three shots managed to see half get to the bottom of the net.
To be sure, Rivers was brought in precisely to correct the Bucks’ alarming swoon on defense while maximizing their offensive prowess. From being among the best in limiting opponents from scoring under Mike Budenholzer, they turned into one of the worst with Griffin at the helm. Their new bench tactician is expected to leverage his experience and savvy in fostering smooth interpersonal relationships, particularly with high-maintenance stars, in order to coax the best out of them on both ends of the court.
There were no happy campers in the Bucks’ locker room following the setback. While the outcome may have reflected the status of the Nuggets as pregame favorites, they clearly thought otherwise. The good news is that they need not wait long for payback under more favorable terms. They meet the defending titleholders anew in two weeks, and on home turf. By that time, they figure to be more attuned to Rivers’ system and style — and in prime position to turn their fortunes around.
ANTHONY L. CUAYCONG has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.