All eyes will be on Doc Rivers on Monday night as he makes his Milwaukee Bucks coaching debut against the Denver Nuggets. Rivers could not have asked for a tougher first game as he is faced with the gargantuan task of coaching his new team against the NBA’s defending champions.
The Nuggets showdown is just one of the first of a multitude of storylines surrounding Rivers now that he’s agreed to take on one of the most high-profile jobs in the league. Over the course of the next few weeks, you can be sure that Rivers and the Bucks will be making their presence felt in all sorts of headlines across the basketball world.
Bobby Portis Speaks Out on New Milwaukee Bucks Coach Doc Rivers
While Bucks veteran Bobby Portis is also looking forward to what’s ahead now that there’s a new man sitting at the helm, the 6-foot-10 big man also has one specific thing on his mind surrounding Rivers’ arrival.
Portis has stated multiple times in the past that his biggest idol is Kevin Garnett, and the fact that Rivers spent many years coaching KG during their time together with the Boston Celtics has left Portis eager to hear about Doc’s stories about Garnett.
“Just always in the running, man. He always is right there in the playoffs. Being there, getting there, leading guys in the right direction,” Portis said, via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Been a coach for a long, long time. Coached one of my favorite players, Kevin Garnett, as well too, so that’s kind of dope. I can ask him stories and things like that. I think that’s really cool. Played with Rajon Rondo as well when I was with the (Chicago) Bulls and that was his coach as well.
“Great guy. Top 15 coach. Just can’t wait go get started. Obviously every year in the league is different, man. You go through high and lows in the season, might get a new coach, you never know what’s going to happen in the league so you just gotta stay ready so you ain’t gotta get ready.”
Portis also touched on the harsh reality of life in the NBA. The 28-year-old has been a bit of an NBA journeyman throughout his time in the league so he knows a thing or two about the business side of professional basketball.
As he said, anything can happen in this league, which is why he’s taken it upon himself to always be ready for anything and everything that could come his way.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
