Rivers and struggling Bucks facing tall task for stretch run
MILWAUKEE — Doc Rivers’ arrival was supposed to ensure the Milwaukee Bucks would develop into one of the NBA’S most dangerous teams by the postseason.
But they sure haven’t looked like contenders so far.
The Bucks will return from the All-star break on Friday at Minnesota having gone 3-7 in Rivers’ first 10 games as coach after the team put together a 32-14 record beforehand. There have been questions whether this was a good move for Rivers, although two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo — arguably the most important voice when summarizing the situation — believes in his new coach.
“He’s coached a lot of successful teams in the past,” Antetokounmpo said during the All-star break. “When you have that guy on your bench, you have to be able to bring your ‘A’ game.”
The Bucks have been failing in that effort. Their last game before the break was an embarrassing 113-110 loss at Memphis.
There are reasons for the Bucks to be optimistic.
— Rivers took over just as the Bucks were entering the most challenging portion of their schedule.
— The Bucks haven’t had their entire preferred starting five available for any of their last eight games.
Those factors and Rivers’ experience — his 1,100 career regular-season coaching wins rank eighth in NBA history — make the Bucks believe they’ll eventually succeed with him leading the way. Rivers took over for Adrian Griffin, who was fired just 43 games into his first head coaching job.
“It’s been a very, very, very hard season for everybody, not just for the players, for the coaching staff,” Antetokounmpo said. “With the changes, it’s been a hard season. But through it all, I think we can get it done.”
Pistons’ Stewart draws suspension
Detroit Pistons forward/ center Isaiah Stewart was suspended three games without pay by the NBA on Thursday for punching and pushing Phoenix Suns forward Drew Eubanks.
Stewart and Eubanks had a confrontation before a game between the Pistons and Suns on Feb. 14. Eubanks said before the game that it happened as he entered the arena. He said an argument ensued and the two were chest-tochest before Stewart threw the punch and security intervened. Phoenix police said Stewart was arrested for assault, issued a citation and released.
Hawks’ Okongwu out indefinitely
The Atlanta Hawks are preparing to be without center Onyeka Okongwu for an indefinite period of time, leaving the team with serious front-line depth issues.
Coach Quin Snyder said following Thursday’s practice Okongwu, who missed the final game before the break with a sprained left toe, “is not going to be available for the foreseeable future.”
The loss of Okongwu, who has shared playing time with starting center Clint Capela, comes as Capela has missed the past six games with a left adductor strain.