On Saturday, according to sources briefed on the meeting, Bucks coach Doc Rivers held a film session with the team’s top nine veteran rotation players in Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Beasley, Bobby Portis, Patrick Beverley, Connaughton and Crowder. During that session, each player was given a chance to speak his mind and explain what they have been seeing from their own perspective, as well as how they believe the team needs to operate selflessly as a unit moving forward. “It’s only the start of these tough and necessary conversations,” one source described the session.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The challenges for Doc Rivers in coaching the #Bucks continue to add up jsonline.com/story/sports/n…
@LoriNickel – 8:15 AM
The challenges for Doc Rivers in coaching the #Bucks continue to add up jsonline.com/story/sports/n…
@LoriNickel – 8:15 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Doc Rivers’ Bucks are still struggling… 😬
4⃣-game losing streak 🚫
15-17 overall record with Rivers 📉 pic.twitter.com/185MpkDKwc – 4:08 AM
Doc Rivers’ Bucks are still struggling… 😬
4⃣-game losing streak 🚫
15-17 overall record with Rivers 📉 pic.twitter.com/185MpkDKwc – 4:08 AM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Josh Hart may be, as Doc Rivers said, the heart of the Knicks — and that’s why the ejection Friday was so costly newsday.com/sports/basketb… via @Newsday – 7:48 PM
Josh Hart may be, as Doc Rivers said, the heart of the Knicks — and that’s why the ejection Friday was so costly newsday.com/sports/basketb… via @Newsday – 7:48 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Doc Rivers, when @JimOwczarski asked if the team’s upcoming schedule has an impact on the decision to play Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight: pic.twitter.com/o49mkehJlI – 6:10 PM
Doc Rivers, when @JimOwczarski asked if the team’s upcoming schedule has an impact on the decision to play Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight: pic.twitter.com/o49mkehJlI – 6:10 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Doc Rivers, on having the big 3 back together tonight: pic.twitter.com/sdE2o8YYWx – 6:06 PM
Doc Rivers, on having the big 3 back together tonight: pic.twitter.com/sdE2o8YYWx – 6:06 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Doc Rivers:
“Josh Hart is the heart of the team. …he matched the city.” – 5:25 PM
Doc Rivers:
“Josh Hart is the heart of the team. …he matched the city.” – 5:25 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Doc Rivers on Josh Hart: “I don’t want to be corny, but it many ways, he’s the heart of that team.” – 5:25 PM
Doc Rivers on Josh Hart: “I don’t want to be corny, but it many ways, he’s the heart of that team.” – 5:25 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Giannis Antetokounmpo will play tonight vs NYK, per Doc Rivers – 5:18 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo will play tonight vs NYK, per Doc Rivers – 5:18 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“As long as they believe in what’s happening, that’s the most important predictor for success.”
Despite the Bucks’ struggles under Doc Rivers, @DarthAmin tells @VinceGoodwill he believes in Milwaukee come playoff time. pic.twitter.com/dMwqIwE6JT – 4:52 PM
“As long as they believe in what’s happening, that’s the most important predictor for success.”
Despite the Bucks’ struggles under Doc Rivers, @DarthAmin tells @VinceGoodwill he believes in Milwaukee come playoff time. pic.twitter.com/dMwqIwE6JT – 4:52 PM
More on this storyline
On Friday during shoot around before the Bucks played Toronto, Antetokounmpo practiced on that bad hammy. When Rivers checked in with him after practice, Giannis admitted that he didn’t feel great. Rivers scratched Giannis for the game – but missed the opportunity to practice certain sets with just Lillard and Middleton, who haven’t played a lot together yet. “We didn’t make the decision with Giannis until after shoot around,” said Rivers. “The first thing Rex (assistant coach Rex Kalamian), who works with offense said: ‘It would have been nice to know that before – we could have done all the Khris stuff.’ “But I said, it is what it is. We will run it in the game and see how it looks.” -via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel / April 8, 2024
“We’ve got to figure it out on the fly. That’s why we’re professionals,” said Middleton. “We got to figure it out. I think we’re better than this, honestly. I don’t want to disrespect anybody on the side but I think we have enough talent to to take care of some of these games with whoever is playing.” With these extraordinary circumstances, Antetokounmpo appreciates the challenges Rivers faces as well. “He’s trying to figure us out,” said Antetokounmpo. “How we are as players, how we are as people, how to communicate with us. How hard to push us; what position he should put (us in).” -via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel / April 8, 2024
Fred Katz: Final: Knicks 122, Bucks 109. Knicks improve to 46-32, fourth in the East. • Brunson 43-6-8 • DiVincenzo 26-4-3, 8-11 3Ps • Hartenstein 18 & 10 • Bogdanovic 15 pts • Hart 7-9-9 • Antetokounmpo 28-15-8 Knicks outscored the Bucks 72-48 in the second half. -via Twitter @FredKatz / April 7, 2024