The Bucks’ Doc Rivers agrees with the gritty take on the win over the 76ers

Wins come in all shapes and sizes, just ask Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers. Despite the team’s 123-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, he felt there were some shortcomings. Even with Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is making history on Friday, Rivers has nothing to criticize.

He explained via Eric Nemo of the Athletic. on Twitter/X how the lack of defensive effort could cost them the game.

“Yes. However, at the beginning of the year, we may have lost that. We won tonight and that’s what you have to do. You have to pick up wins when you can and we’re doing that.”

After a 2-8 start to the season, many thought Rivers’ time in Milwaukee would be short-lived. Fast forward to Game 41, however, and it was a different team. They now have a 24-17 and sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The duo of Damian Lillard and Antetokounmpo make the difference.

Still, Rivers has to do with some changes. He made a conscious effort to improve the defense, starting with hustle and effort. Even though Antetokounmpo was a great defender, there was no evidence of it at the start of the season. Now it’s back to the type of defensive player of the year defense.

Doc Rivers’ tough attitude forced the Bucks to accept the new standard

Criticism of Rivers’ coaching ability is justified, given what has happened since the 2008 NBA season. After winning the NBA championship, he missed the mark more than a few times. When he joined the Los Angeles Clippers, he never saw the Western Conference Finals. Then, a brief stint in Philadelphia with the 76ers presented more.

Finally, he accepted the Bucks’ head coaching job halfway through last season. Taking over in the middle of a tough season, especially as a head coach. Developing new philosophies, tactics and strategies is hard to learn when every game counts. Fortunately, this season has shown that those principles are obvious.

When Milwaukee entered the NBA Cup, they were on their way. They were 13-3 to win the championship. However, they fell back to earth. as a result Rivers slapped the Bucks with a stinging truth bomb. Having a coach who holds his players accountable is really positive.

At the end of the day, championship teams want to perfect every detail. As Rivers mentioned, the lack of defensive effort could be a downfall later in the season. Fine-tuning those elements at this point in the season could prevent the same scenario from happening down the road.