76ers fans give Doc Rivers a hard time, but the Bucks have the final say
Philadelphia Eight months after being fired as coach by the 76ers, Doc Rivers was unsure of the welcome he would get back in Philadelphia.
“Do they give big receptions to the coaches?” Before the Milwaukee Bucks, his new team, defeated Philadelphia 119-98 on Sunday, Rivers made this statement.
When a reporter told Rivers he was unique, he admitted the statement was true but said he hadn’t given it much thought yet. Nevertheless, the Philadelphia crowd was ready, booing loudly when Rivers’ name was revealed prior to tipoff.
“To be honest, I didn’t even hear it,” a smiling Rivers remarked following the game. “I was back at home, so to speak.”
Rivers had nothing but good things to say about his three-season stay with the Sixers, even with the cold reception. In his three seasons as Philadelphia’s coach, he went 154-82, but he was fired in May after each season ended in a loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Overall, I’m happy with it; I just wish we could’ve done more, said Rivers. “I wish Joel [Embiid] had been able to play in the playoffs in good health.
“But all things considered, Joel emerged as an MVP, and we turned this team into a title contender. The previous year, that wasn’t mentioned. and beneath numerous items. When you consider it, we had the Ben [Simmons] situation and the James Harden trade. I had some control over some things and not over others.
In my opinion, though, losing a title never really makes you happy. This is why each of us does it.”
After the ball tipped, the Bucks easily defeated the Sixers, who were missing star center Joel Embiid for the eleventh game in a row due to a knee procedure earlier this month.
Milwaukee’s 119 points came from the combined efforts of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, two of the team’s best players. Five more blocks were added by Brook Lopez.
The first half saw the Bucks score 69 points, which is a record since Rivers took over at the end of last month. Additionally, they limited the Sixers to 16 points in the last frame. Milwaukee won in Minnesota on Friday night, their second straight win following the All-Star break.
“Carryover is a crucial term for us,” stated Antetokounmpo, who concluded with a triple-double of 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. We seem to be experiencing our true selves. We are improving our defense, playing hard, and moving the ball. We’re just exerting ourselves.”
When questioned about Philadelphia’s Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in the previous year’s conference semifinals, Rivers said he hadn’t given it much thought prior to the game.
“To put it this way, who did you pick to win the Sixers last year going into the series?” Rivers posed a rhetorical question. “That’s the main idea. Nevertheless, we were down 3-2 and had a chance. The sixth game was the one we ought to have won. Everywhere you go, Game 7s are hard. However, we took action to get there.
It merely illustrates how near we were. Thinking back, I believe Joel wasn’t at full strength the previous year. You just have to accept the things that happen.”
Under Rivers, the Bucks are currently 5-7. In contrast to the Philadelphia supporters, Antetokounmpo was not afraid to show his support for his new coach.
“I adore him,” declared Antetokounmpo. Playing for him has been an amazing experience. He simply tells me what he needs from me. You have to respect him for his 25 years in the league and all of his accomplishments, including winning a championship and numerous games, even though he keeps things simple in the locker room.”
Trae Young of the Hawks will miss at least four weeks due to finger surgery.
Atlanta Due to a ruptured ligament in his left pinkie finger, All-Star point guard Trae Young has been out of the Hawks lineup for at least four weeks.
The Hawks made the injury public on Sunday. Young will undergo surgery on Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York after suffering an injury during Friday night’s loss to Toronto.
Young will be assessed in four weeks, according to the team.
Editor’s Selections
Okongwu is out for the “foreseeable future,” according to Hawks.
More than anything, you feel terrible for Trae, said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “He will find it difficult to stay out of the public eye.
Young’s departure occurs as the Hawks, who are vying for the Eastern Conference’s final play-in spot, are struggling to find a front-line backup while center Onyeka Okongwu heals from a sprained left toe. Snyder announced on Thursday that Okongwu would not be available for some time.
“You must adjust,” Snyder remarked. “When we lost Jalen [Johnson], that is what happened. We need minutes from Patty Mills and Kobe Bufkin, and it’s clear that we are aware of Dejounte Murray’s capabilities. I have no desire to wallow in anything.
The Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 109-92 on Sunday, coming into the game 2-3 that Young had missed this season.
With an average of 26.4 points and 10.8 assists per game, Young, who was selected for his third All-Star team this season, is leading Atlanta. With Young out, Murray will probably take over as the team’s primary ball handler. Murray showed his mettle on Sunday night, finishing with 25 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds—just shy of his first triple-double of the year. 11 assists was a season high for him.
“We don’t have any justifications. It’s the NBA, “Murray declared. It goes without saying that we want him back as soon as possible. But let the next man up while he’s out. And that’s it. Guys have the chance to demonstrate why they belong in the NBA.”
Young was replaced in the starting lineup for the game on Sunday night by Bogdan Bogdanovic. 46 games as a substitute
Bogdanovic posted a 16.8 point average. In the victory, he scored 17 points.
This is going to change. We lose Boji’s impact off the bench if he starts,” Snyder remarked. “Do you want him to keep the second unit stable? There are numerous factors involved. We’re going to tackle it that way.”
Leave a Reply