Few teams in the NBA face a bleaker outlook than the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to undergo an MRI that could reveal troubling news, and the Bucks recently fell 102-100 to a shorthanded Denver Nuggets squad that was missing Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and rising talent Peyton Watson.
The Bucks franchise won’t regain control of its first-round pick until 2031, and they have few young players to excite the fan base. Ryan Rollins has shown promise, as has Kevin Porter Jr. (who is also recovering from injury), but beyond those two, the Bucks haven’t drafted well or developed much young talent in recent years.
At the top of fans’ concerns is head coach Doc Rivers. His reputation has declined over the past several years, and many supporters are frustrated that he remains in charge on the sidelines.
Bucks fans’ vitriol against Doc Rivers
‘I’m sure Doc Rivers is proud his guys almost came back and beat the hospital Nuggets. Bucks front office will still keep his ass as the head coach 👏🏽,” user G҉A҉ 🐐 wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“At this point I think the Bucks should:
1. Fire Doc Rivers. And I don’t mean leave him unemployed, I mean light him on the pyre
2. Rest Giannis and hope he doesn’t demand a trade
3. Let the season die while giving young players a change
4. Pray to the Lottery gods” another user wrote.
“You have to do something Jon Horst/Wes Edens. We are literally choosing Doc Rivers over Giannis Antetokounmpo. This team is disorganized and disinterested in playing competitive team basketball. Brutal product and dark times ahead,” another account posted on X.
The Bucks’ downward trajectory is often linked to their first-round exit in 2023 at the hands of the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. That defeat led to the firing of Mike Budenholzer, the hiring of Adrian Griffin (later replaced by Doc Rivers), and the trade of Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard.
“the Bucks fired Griffin when we were 31-13 to hire Doc Rivers,” user @_Matteoox added.
At this point, the Bucks have few roster options and almost no cap flexibility to make changes. They’re trapped in one of the most challenging positions a team can face in the NBA.
