The Milwaukee Bucks have shown some improvements on the defensive end since the arrival of new head coach Doc Rivers. This was most apparent on Friday night as Milwaukee blew out the Charlotte Hornets, 120-84.
Rivers himself was impressed by what he saw from his team in that game but at the same time, the tenured shot-caller conceded that there’s still a lot of work to be done before the Bucks get to where they want to be on the defensive end.
Milwaukee Bucks Not There Yet
Speaking ahead of Monday’s marquee matchup against the Denver Nuggets, Rivers got brutally honest about his team’s defensive shortcomings. However, while the 62-year-old openly admits that they still have quite a ways to go, Rivers also commended the squad’s willingness to do whatever it takes to reach their objectives:
“They know they don’t have it yet,” Rivers said, via Bally Sports Wisconsin. “But they’ve completely bought in to it. They love what we’re trying to do. … They want to be coached.”
"It wasn't like I was Bobby Knight. I was just being honest."
Doc Rivers on his tough coaching after the #Bucks were embarrassed by Minnesota and the team responding with a great defensive effort. #NBA || #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/DEctoK7VXD
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) February 12, 2024
Doc Rivers Ripped Into Bucks After Blowout Loss to Timberwolves
Rivers also spoke about how the team reacted to their embarrassing 129-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. The Bucks coach revealed that he ripped into his squad the following morning, which prompted an impressive response from the players in their game later that day:
“The other night, after the Minnesota game, [the film session] wasn’t fun,” he said. “I can tell you that. Our talk the next morning was not one of the better mornings. It wasn’t like I was Bobby Knight. I was just being honest. They want you to be honest and be held accountable.
“You can see the energy the next night defensively. That was probably our best defensive night of the year.”
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