Just when it looked like the Milwaukee Bucks were on the right track again after defeating the Indiana Pacers on the road, 120-112, on Tuesday to snap a two-game skid, Doc Rivers’s squad faltered on Thursday night at home versus the visiting Brooklyn Nets – a team that is proving to be a big thorn in their side.
Dec 3, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers on the sidelines against the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The loss to the Nets was partly blamed by Rivers on the Bucks’ lack of ball movement to counter Brooklyn’s pesky defense.
“Tonight, I just thought their defensive intensity, their ball pressure – I mean, we literally didn’t run much offense tonight,” Rivers said after the game, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
“We went a lot of ISO. The ball didn’t move the way we typically move it. Then, in the fourth quarter, we finally started doing that.”
Fans can’t believe Doc Rivers’ claim about the Milwaukee Bucks in loss to the Brooklyn Nets
Jan 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Because it’s usually the job of the head coach to design plays and make midgame adjustments to wake up a slumbering offense, Rivers’ admission seemingly didn’t sit well with fans online.
“This guy again lol. “We stunk, I didn’t really make any adjustments but we almost pulled it out in the 4th” Great hire.”
“That’s on you tho coach. Get your team ready and teach them what to do when they trap dame full court”
“As the coach, shouldn’t you be doing something about it?”
“THATS ON YOU DOC, come on man, saying this just gives bucks fans no belief”
“My favourite thing about Doc is that he speaks like he isn’t the coach.”
But as Rivers noted, the Bucks’ offense showed great activity in the fourth quarter where Milwaukee had a stretch of 20 straight points. That fiery stretch, however, was still not enough for Milwaukee to overcome the Nets’ lead which reached as high as 24 points.
Milwaukee has struggled to find consistency since winning the NBA Cup in Las Vegas. They are just 3-4 since beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Vegas, and over that stretch, the Bucks are just 19th in the league with 110.1 points per game and 24th with a 45.3 field goal percentage.
Jan 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up the court against Brooklyn Nets guard De’Anthony Melton (8) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
