ESPN analyst and NBA coach Doc Rivers is set to head back to the NBA. ESPN reports Rivers has reached an agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Rivers won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award in 2000 and won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
- Most recently, he coached the Philadelphia 76ers to three consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals dom 2020-2023.
- Last summer, Rivers joined ESPN’s NBA in-studio coverage team, stepping away from the game.
- Yesterday, the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently hold a tie for the second best record in the NBA, fired their head coach Adrian Griffin.
- Griffin’s firing is largely believed to be due to the Bucks simply thinking they could find an upgrade that would give the team a better chance to win another Championship.
- Now we know Rivers is that supposed upgrade.
- Rivers, a veteran head coach of 25 years and player of 14 years, previously called the NBA Finals on ABC in 2004.
What they’re saying:
- David Roberts, ESPN's head of event and studio production: "We wish Doc well and we look forward to documenting the next chapter of his coaching career. We have a deep roster of supremely talented commentators who will continue to serve NBA fans with tremendous skill, passion and expertise.”