Doc Rivers takes blame for Bucks’ 1-4 start: It’s my fault until we get it right | News, results, highlights, stats and gossip

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 28: Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks calls the first half game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 28, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this image, User consents to the terms of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers takes responsibility for the team’s 1-4 start, which is his take after the team’s 122-99 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

Eric Nehm @Eric_nehm

Doc Rivers: “The defensive transition was still terrible today, so that’s my fault. It’s all up to me until we get it right. We have to fix this.”

The Bucks scored 122.25 points per game during their losing streak. All four losses were by double digits.

On Thursday, Memphis shot 52.4 percent. from the game and led by as many as 31 points. The Grizzlies also scored 40 points in the first quarter and outshot the Bucks 56-38.

Rivers took over as the Bucks’ head coach early in the second half of the 2023–2024 season following the firing of head coach Adrian Griffin. Since then, Milwaukee is 20-27 under Rivers (including playoffs).

The Bucks’ defensive play was particularly concerning. Entering Thursday, Milwaukee was ranked 24th in defensive rating, per Basketball reference. Other statistics and tape also tell the story.

Esfandiara Baraheni @Only EsBaraheni

The Bucks have so far:
– second worst transition defense
– Third worst transition offense
– dead last in number of drives per match
– dead last in passes
All of this is atypical for a team built around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Vecena herself @Sam_Vecenie

Earlier this week, I solved the Bucks’ defensive problems for about 30 minutes with tape after their games against Chicago and Brooklyn.
These thoughts are still valid. https://t.co/kxcBpFiLI8

Milwaukee, in particular, gave Memphis a ton of open shots, especially in transition. The Bucks also saw Ja Morant record a triple double and an assist while sitting on the court.

Fans are naturally pessimistic about this team’s prospects.

Jonny Rizzo @Jonspix

An exhausted Grizzlies team drives the Bucks out of the gym. This defense is beyond bad. I think we’re about a month away from inviting Giannis to Milwaukee. They’re going nowhere incredibly quickly.

Antoni Brzoza @AntoniEBrzoza

I don’t even know how you’re going to fix this Bucks team. But it starts with defense.

Brandon LIBERTY WNBA CHAMPIONS @Cooked GPI

Is it just me or are the Bucks playing even worse defense than they did last year?

KD @KG1BS0N

The Bucks defense is Swiss cheese….

Good news? We’re five games into the season and the Bucks still have two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-way superstar, on board.

Bad news? The Bucks look like one of the worst teams in the NBA right now, and the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers are next in a two-game home set.

The first game will be played on Saturday in Milwaukee.