Milwaukee Bucks Guard Fires Back At ESPN Analyst JJ Redick

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 02: ESPN analyst JJ Redick looks on prior to the game between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Doc Rivers era in Milwaukee hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

Since firing Adrian Griffin and hiring Rivers from his seat at the analyst’s desk, the Bucks are 3-7 with their new head coach.

The team’s final game before the All-Star break was particularly embarrassing – a loss to a Grizzlies team more focused on developing young players than winning.

On Tuesday, one of Rivers’ former players was critical of his old coach.

In an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, former Clippers guard and current NBA analyst JJ Redick called out Rivers for the team’s poor record since his hiring.

“I’ve seen the trend for years,” Redick said. “The trend is always making excuses. Doc, we get it. Taking over a team in the middle of a season is hard … But it’s always an excuse. It’s always throwing your team under the bus.”

Redick also added that Rivers doesn’t take accountability when his teams underperform.

A current Milwaukee Bucks player who also played for Rivers in Los Angeles took exception to Redick’s comments, and he called out the former shooting guard.

“This Man Doc actually saved your career. Started you when no one else wanted 2. And u retire go on TV and say that,” said Bucks guard Patrick Beverley.

“Pat my guy I had a four year offer with player option for the same money to be a starter for a different team,” Redick said. “FOH ‘saved my career’.”

Rivers has been a polarizing figure in the NBA for several seasons following his mixed results with multiple teams. It seems that as the Bucks attempt to find their way this season, the discussion around Rivers will only continue.