Bucks' Doc Rivers Confident in Team Despite Slump, No Plans for Major Changes
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers remains confident in his team's ability to turn things around, despite a 45-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets, which was the franchise's most lopsided win in history. The Bucks (11-16) are struggling without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been out for two weeks with a right calf strain.
Rivers expressed his belief in the team's current composition, stating, 'We like our team. We're not playing well, and we're not playing well for various reasons. You don't recreate the wheel; teams that do that fail.'
The Bucks' recent performance has been inconsistent, winning four of their first five games but only managing a 7-15 record since. The team's last game was a 127-82 loss to Brooklyn, which has left them in a challenging position.
Guard Ryan Rollins described the loss as 'embarrassing,' and the team has had the opportunity to practice on back-to-back days, a rare occurrence in the NBA regular season. They aim to address the issues that led to the loss.
Despite the setback, Rivers emphasized that the team hasn't considered drastic changes to their strategy or lineup. He said, 'We want to improve, and we want to make adjustments. We like our defensive package, but we need to execute better. We must take better care of the ball.'
The Bucks' slow start has sparked speculation about Antetokounmpo's future, but Rivers refuted an ESPN report suggesting discussions between Antetokounmpo and Bucks officials about a potential trade. The team's record without Antetokounmpo is 2-8.
However, the Bucks can take solace in their impressive wins, including victories over the Boston Celtics, Golden State, and Detroit Pistons. These wins demonstrate their ability to perform well even without Antetokounmpo.
Myles Turner highlighted the league's increasing emphasis on effort and energy, stating that the Bucks must recapture the joy and spirit they displayed during their early-season success. He added, 'When you start losing, it affects your spirit, but there's no room for excuses. You must perform.'
Rivers acknowledged the challenge of attributing a team's struggles to a lack of effort, noting that various factors contribute to their performance. He emphasized the importance of execution, stating, 'It's like a chicken and egg situation. Something has to give you confidence to execute consistently.'
Despite the team's current challenges, Rivers remains focused on improving their execution and performance.
