“Milwaukee Bucks’ Doc Rivers Lands All-Star Coaching Gig: NBA’s Gimmick or Genuine Choice?”
The NBA’s decision to appoint Doc Rivers, the newly appointed head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, as the head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend has stirred up a storm of controversy. The announcement, made on Jan. 26, 2024, sparked heated debate among basketball enthusiasts and pundits alike, with former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal expressing skepticism over the move.
In a candid statement during TNT’s “NBA on TNT” broadcast, O’Neal voiced his disapproval of Rivers’ selection, characterizing it as a “quirky” decision by the NBA. O’Neal’s sentiments echoed those of many fans who questioned the legitimacy of Rivers’ appointment, particularly considering his limited tenure with the Bucks and the impressive record achieved by former Bucks coach Adrian Griffin.
Despite securing only four games with the Bucks prior to his appointment as head coach, Rivers managed to clinch his first victory with a notable win against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Shaquille O’Neal and others remained unconvinced, arguing that Griffin was equally deserving of the All-Star coaching role.
Adding fuel to the fire, rumors surfaced suggesting that Rivers had acted as a consultant to Griffin, a claim vehemently denied by the Bucks coach. Rivers emphasized that while he shares a close friendship with Griffin, he had never served in a consultancy capacity for the team.
The controversy surrounding Rivers’ selection underscores the cutthroat nature of the NBA coaching landscape, where decisions can be scrutinized and debated at every turn. Despite the challenges and criticisms, Rivers remains steadfast in his commitment to leading the Milwaukee Bucks to success, both on and off the court.
As the basketball world eagerly anticipates the 2024 NBA All-Star game, scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, the debate surrounding Rivers’ coaching appointment serves as a reminder of the passion and intensity that define the sport at every level.
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t a fan of the decision as he talked about it on TNT’s “NBA on TNT.”
“Like he says, ‘it’s one of those quirky things,'” O’Neal said. “Accidental, circumstantial, but I like his response. He’s respectable. Doc’s been around the game a long time and he knows he didn’t deserve that.”
It was reported that Rivers acted as a consultant to Griffin, which was then denied by the current Bucks coach, as per CBS Sports’ Jack Maloney.
“Yeah, that’s not true,” Rivers said. “I don’t know where that came from. I was never a consultant. If I was, I need to be paid some more money for that because I didn’t get a check.”
