Matt Barnes chastised Doc Rivers after the Milwaukee Bucks blew an 11-point lead to lose to the New York Knicks 122-109 at home on Sunday, April 7.
“Doc keep stealing money,” Barnes said on Gilbert Arena’s Instagram post about a video predicting the Bucks’ demise under Rivers.
Sunday’s loss dropped the Bucks’ record to 15-17 since Rivers replaced first-time head coach Adrian Griffin midway into the season. They were 30-13 when Rivers took over.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Bucks (47-31) are clinging to the Eastern Conference’s third spot. The Knicks and Orlando Magic (both 46-32) are right on their heels.
The Bucks will face the Magic twice in the final four games of the season.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Rivers, who previously coached Barnes with the Los Angeles Clippers, has inked a four-year deal worth approximately $40 million. He was sacked from his former coaching position in Philadelphia last offseason after two consecutive second-round exits. Prior to joining the Bucks, the seasoned coach worked briefly as an ESPN television analyst.
Rivers, 62, had one championship on his coaching career when he led the Boston Celtics in 2008. Since then, he has become known for blowing 3-1 series leads.
Doc Rivers Takes Blame
Rivers, on the other hand, isn’t afraid to take on the challenge of turning the Bucks around in the first season with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
“This team is too talented, in my opinion, to go through this,” Rivers told reporters following the Bucks’ defeat to the Knicks. “Regardless of who has been in and out, every team has players out. And so I have to figure that out.”
Sunday’s setback was a double whammy because they also lost Khris Middleton in the second quarter after Knicks forward Donte DiVincenzo accidentally whacked him in the face. To make matters worse, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein crashed on Middleton’s back following a basket.
“You just feel bad for him,” Rivers remarked about Middleton. “The guy can’t catch a break.”
It was only the fourth occasion in 29 games that Middleton, Antetokounmpo, and Lillard were all available. It was short-lived.
