Doc Rivers has been the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks for all of three games, but he’s already the recipient of one of the rewards that comes with coaching a team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo — if you want to call it a reward.
With their win over the Dallas Mavericks Saturday — Rivers’ first since taking over for Adrian Griffin — the Bucks clinched the Eastern Conference’s second-best record through Feb. 4. That means their coaching staff will be headed to the All-Star Game on Feb. 18. The honor usually goes to the first-place team, but the Boston Celtics were ineligible after coaching the East all-stars last year.
That left the job to the Bucks and Rivers, who was just as miffed as everyone else. He said he’ll give the bonus money and All-Star ring to Griffin.
“That is ridiculously bad… Well, Adrian [Griffin] is going to get some money and a ring… Maybe I’ll send my staff and I’ll go on vacation.”
Doc Rivers on being the head coach for the Eastern Conference at the 2024 All-Star Game 🗣️
(via @BallySportWI)pic.twitter.com/9RN31uIuCv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2024
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and his staff will coach the Eastern Conference in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/k5Ohpf9PNR
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 4, 2024
“That is ridiculously bad. It really is,” Rivers said. “Well, Adrian’s gonna get some money. That’s for sure. And a ring. You know, it’s one of these quirky things. I think there should be a rule somehow that someone else does it other than me. Maybe I’ll send my staff, and I’ll go on vacation.”