MILWAUKEE (AP) — Doc Rivers left broadcasting when he took over as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks mid-season, but he remains as talkative as ever.
That chatter has helped the Bucks significantly improve their defense since his arrival in late January. The Bucks have won six straight games and have the best defensive rating in the NBA since the All-Star break.
“It’s a lot of talking with Doc,” All-Star guard Damian Lillard said Monday night after the Bucks gathered for a game. Victory 113-106 against the Los Angeles Clippers without injured two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Sometimes we get on the field and we’re supposed to start practice, and Doc talks for 15 minutes straight.”
Lillard detailed how Rivers will inform players of their responsibilities in certain situations while explaining how their roles fit into the overall defensive scheme.
“Sometimes you need what we want to happen to make sense verbally,” Lillard said. “Then we go through it, and then you figure it out.” And that’s how you build that faith and that belief, and you’re on the same page. I think he created an environment where everyone understands. Everything is clear. We go through it 10, 15 times in practice, and then we’re able to go out there and execute it because of the way it’s delivered to us.
Milwaukee quirky into the All-Star break, going 3-7 in his first 10 games under Rivers, who left his job at ESPN to take over the Bucks after the firing of Adrian Griffin. But the Bucks have not lost since the break and are in second place in the Eastern Conference, behind the Boston Celtics.
Even though the Bucks were 30-13 when Griffin was fired, their difficulties in defense cast doubt on their viability as title contenders. Under Griffin, the Bucks ranked 21st in the league in defensive rating, which measures points allowed per 100 possessions.
They have come a long way in recent weeks.
Their six-game winning streak included four straight games in which they allowed fewer than 100 points, the first such streak for the Bucks since February 2018. Milwaukee has allowed fewer than 100 points in six of its last 10 games after having done it only once in his first 52 contests.
The Bucks ultimately gave up more than 100 points Monday against the Clippers while Antetokounmpo was out with left Achilles tendinitis, but they still showed their adaptability by using a zone in their return. The Bucks have improved defensively even without three-time All-Star Khris Middleton, who has missed 11 straight games with a sprained left ankle.
Players say Rivers simplified things and clarified everyone’s missions on defense.
“It’s all black and white,” guard Malik Beasley said. “There are no gray areas. We know what we’re doing with the back picks. We know what we’re doing when it comes to pick-and-rolls. We know who does what and who does this. It’s starting to become second nature. When you have a good defensive team like that, that’s what happens. Everyone is connected, like on offense.
Milwaukee also strengthened its perimeter defense by acquiring Patrick Beverley, a three-time All-Defensive team selection. The Bucks already had plenty of defensive firepower in the frontcourt with Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, who finished second last year. Defensive Player of the Year vote.
Rivers thinks the Bucks defense can get even better.
“Our catch-and-shoot defense still needs to improve,” Rivers said. “Our recognition of bad games needs to improve. And then at the basket, I think we can be a little more physical if they let us.
The Bucks face a major test to maintain their second place in the East as they enter a difficult part of their schedule. They open a four-game California trip Wednesday at Golden State. Ten of their next 11 contests will be against teams with winning records.
Milwaukee faced a similarly difficult time immediately after Rivers’ arrival and struggled. The team seems much better prepared for this latest challenge.
“We simplified a lot of things,” Lillard said. “We, I guess, just bought into certain plans. I don’t think the guys weren’t convinced (before), but I think we see it working. We see that it suits us.
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