Doc Rivers, once considered one of the sharpest minds in NBA coaching, has found himself ranked 22nd in CBS Sports’ 2024-25 NBA head coaches ranking. A coach with an NBA championship on his resume, Rivers’ career is an intriguing mix of success and disappointment, making his low ranking a reflection of both his highs and some notable lows. As Rivers enters a pivotal season with the Milwaukee Bucks, this could be his last major opportunity to reclaim his standing among the league’s elite.
Doc Rivers’ Coaching Legacy: Looking Back and Ahead with the Milwaukee Bucks
A Tale of Two Eras: Rivers’ Early Coaching Success and Recent Struggles
Rivers first made his mark as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, guiding them to an NBA Championship in 2008. That Celtics team, led by stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, became one of the most formidable defenses in NBA history, cementing Rivers as a top-tier coach. However, since that victory, his coaching career has been characterized by consistent playoff failures.
His tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers is a good example of his struggles in the postseason. During his time there, Rivers coached two different star duos. Early on, he had Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, leading a talented team known as “Lob City,” but was never able to push them past the Western Conference Semifinals. Later, with a new roster built around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the team again fell short, culminating in a devastating 3-1 series collapse against the Denver Nuggets in 2020. This failure only intensified the criticism surrounding his ability to win in high-pressure playoff situations.
A similar story played out in Philadelphia, where he coached MVP Joel Embiid but again fell short of expectations. Rivers’ inability to take these star-studded teams deep into the postseason has led to growing skepticism about his coaching adaptability, particularly in high-pressure moments.
The Milwaukee Bucks Era: A Fresh Start or a Final Chapter?
Rivers took the helm of the Milwaukee Bucks midway through the 2023-24 season after the abrupt firing of Adrian Griffin. While the team boasted a 30-13 record under Griffin, their performance was inconsistent, with concerns about chemistry and defensive lapses becoming more evident as the season progressed. Griffin’s system never fully clicked with the roster, raising concerns about their ability to compete deep into the playoffs.
When Rivers stepped in, the Bucks did show visible improvement on the defensive side of the court. Their offensive flow also at times appeared smoother, and defensively they began to show signs of cohesion. Yet, despite the progress in style and execution, the wins didn’t follow. Milwaukee finished the season 17-19 after Rivers took over, and their late-season slide continued into a disappointing postseason.
The Bucks failed to capitalize on their star power—particularly the newly formed duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo—and bowed out early in the playoffs. An injury to Giannis certainly played a role, but it didn’t exempt Rivers from criticism regarding his inability to adjust.
What’s at Stake for Rivers and the Bucks?
Now, with a full offseason ahead and Doc Rivers’ newly formed coaching staff, he has the chance to fully implement his system and make necessary adjustments.
The 2024-25 season represents a significant moment for Rivers. If he can guide the Bucks to a deep playoff run, it would be a powerful rebuttal to the growing narrative that Rivers can’t maximize elite talent in today’s NBA. The dynamic between Antetokounmpo and Lillard, coupled with a focus on reestablishing Milwaukee’s defense, will be essential to any success the team finds.
Rivers’ coaching career has always been a matter of high expectations, and with those expectations come even higher scrutiny. As he heads into a crucial season with the Bucks, he has the tools at his disposal to re-establish himself among the best coaches in the NBA. However, if the struggles continue, his legacy may be defined more by missed opportunities than by his triumph in Boston.
For now, Doc Rivers is at a crossroads. Will he rise again, or will he continue his slide down the ranks? The 2024-25 season will provide the answer.
