Bucks’ Doc Rivers opens up on Spurs legend Gregg Popovich

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Riverswho has ties to San Antonio, opened up about his recent communication with the legendary coach Gregg Popovich. That was one of several Spurs-related topics, including Victor Vembanayama, that the veteran coach discussed with ClutchPoints.

“I’ve had a great opportunity to go back and forth with Pop over the last few days, and gosh, I miss that guy here,” Rivers revealed.

Because of a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves two nights before Bucks arrived in the Alamo City the day before the game. A former Spurs player, Rivers stayed while Popovic served solely as the organization’s general manager. Both ended up becoming veterans of the coaching ranks earlier the Hall of Famer retired last spring due to the consequences of a stroke he suffered in November 2024.

“Just his presence, that’s one of the things I said, he’s so still here. And you can feel it,” Rivers added to ClutchPoints about “Pop.”

The 76-year-old five-time NBA champion left the game as The best NBA coach of all time. It’s a legacy that Rivers says is paying dividends in real time.

“He’s done an amazing job of setting up the franchise by bringing Mitch (Johnson) with him and you can see in everything they do that it looks like the Spurs. It’s pretty cool.”

“I’ve had a great opportunity to go back and forth with Pop the last few days. I miss (him) here.”
-Doc Rivers covers last night’s game

on the #Spurs ..
“They’re deep, they’re young, they’re athletic…well coached…now is (their time).”

Complete thought⬇#PorVida pic.twitter.com/IhZzE6bZhF

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) January 16, 2026

Doc Rivers shares his thoughts on Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Rivers finished his playing career with a two-year stint with the Silver and Black in 1996, being part of the 1994-95 team that at the time enjoyed the best season in franchise history with a then-franchise-record 62 wins and a trip to the Western Conference Finals. Rivers later did some television work for the organization.

ClutchPoints asked the 64-year-old coach about Victor Vembanyama.

“He’s pretty good. He really is,” Rivers responded specifically on how the 7-foot-7 generational talent’s game has evolved since last season.

“His shooting separates him from almost everyone with his ability to create shots. It’s so funny. Last year I didn’t think he posted enough. This year he’s doing both. He’s got the perfect combination,” continued the 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics.

Wembley and Spurs sits second in the Western Conference. With a 119-101 win against the Bucks, they are tied with the Denver Nuggets in the standings, despite losing six of his 11 contests. They won 34 games last season (Vembanyama and De’Aaron Fox missed significant time down the stretch) and are two years removed from a 22-win campaign.

Milwaukee marks the fifth team coached by Rivers, the 2000 NBA Coach of the Year and four-time All-Star. He shared with ClutchPoints his thoughts on first-year Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and a young talented core that is already among the best in the league.

“I think Mitch is doing an amazing job. He really is,” Rivers concluded. “They’re good, they’re deep, they’re young, they’re athletic, they’re well-coached. The sky’s the limit for this basketball team, and it’s now. People are saying it could be now.”