Doc Rivers successfully transitioned from an NBA player to a head coach.
The Milwaukee Bucks are in search of another shot at the NBA Championship during the prime of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Unfortunately, since 2021, the Bucks have consistently failed to achieve that dream. As a result, the team has made several head coaching changes.
After moving on from Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin, Doc Rivers landed the job during the 2023-24 season. Speaking of Rivers, let’s take a look at his NBA journey.
Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty ImagesDoc Rivers’ NBA playing career and early head-coaching career
Most fans know Rivers as a head coach, but before that transition, he enjoyed a 13-year stint in the NBA as a player.
Being the 31st overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft, Rivers’ career averages of 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game are decent. He also shot an acceptable 44.4% from the field and 32.8% from deep.
Over his career, Rivers played for the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Clippers. But it’s obvious he spent his prime with the Hawks.
After all, Rivers also earned the sole NBA All-Star selection of his career as a member of the Hawks. Unfortunately, Rivers never managed to win an NBA Championship as he retired ringless in 1996.
But then came Rivers’ new chapter, one where he joined the Orlando Magic as head coach in 1999. He spent four and a half seasons with the Magic.
During his tenure, the Magic went 171-168, barely a winning rate of over 50%. The Magic also made it to the postseason thrice.
Doc Rivers became a superstar head coach and then struggled
Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images
Following his exit from Orlando, Rivers assumed the same role with the Boston Celtics from the 2004-05 NBA season. Doc enjoyed a career-high nine seasons with the franchise.
He also led the Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship while managing the likes of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen on the team. While he didn’t win NBA Coach of the Year like his stint with the Magic, Rivers’ best years were seen in Boston.
But the C’s moved on from Rivers when he joined the Clippers in 2013. Fans witnessed the Clippers’ ‘Lob City’ era under coach Rivers.
The franchise went 356-208 over seven seasons under Rivers, but the consistent lack of postseason success led to his departure in 2020.
Following that, a disappointing three-year stint was waiting for Rivers with the Philadelphia 76ers. Once again, it was obvious that Rivers was a bad fit in Philly, despite a 65.3% winning percentage.
Now, one of the 15 greatest NBA coaches of all time is a member of the Bucks. So far, the Bucks have had two consecutive exits under coach Rivers. Can he turn things around in the 2025-26 season? Only time will tell.