Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers hasn't had much success since taking over the fired Adrian Griffin's position at the mid-point of the 2023-24 season. The New York Knick's astounding 116-94 victory over the Bucks on Friday evening only dug Rivers' failure deeper. Rivers hasn't admitted to many faults since taking the Milwaukee head coach position, but Friday's contest led to an eye-opening confession.
Despite the Bucks' lowly 2-7 record, they have a shot at redemption thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo's presence. Despite the worst start to a Bucks' season since Antetokounmpo's early years in Milwaukee, the elite versatility as a two-way player provides his team a legitimate chance every game. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images However, Rivers overthought the idea of placing his best defensive player on the Knicks' second-best offensive player, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Rivers' lapse in judgment cost the Buck dearly. Towns finished with 32 points on 12-20 shooting from the field and an efficient 4-8 line from 3. Instead of Antetokounmpo guarding Towns, Rivers opted for 36-year-old Brook Lopez to extend to the perimeter on defense.
Rivers explained his decision following Friday's game. "Well, we didn't want Giannis to start the game on KAT and that was a mistake, obviously," Rivers revealed. "Where I was concerned with Brook on KAT was in transition and that's where it manifested itself.
Brook is used to getting back in the paint. Either way, he would have had to guard someone. It might .