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Doc Rivers addresses his cringeworthy pregame speech

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Apr 10, 2026 1:24 PM ET

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers tried to defend a line from a cringeworthy pregame speech he made that got him widely mocked.

Rivers was criticized for telling his players to “look at my resume and Google me” prior to a March 2 game. In an appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” Rivers confirmed that the exchange happened, but claimed that the way it was reported took it out of context.

“That was taken so out of context,” Rivers said. “I had a guy that kept talking about his stats. I was basically saying the same thing. Well, I have stats, too. That’s what the reference was, from the Indiana coach (Curt Cignetti).”

"That was taken so out of context… I had a guy that kept talking about his stats. I was basically saying the same thing, 'Well, I have stats too.'"

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers clarifies what he meant when he said "Check my resume"

(via @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/WtfEwPcr1e
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 10, 2026

Rivers trying to mimic Cignetti is forgivable. Cignetti’s use of “Google me,” however, came when he was a new and unknown hire at Indiana. More importantly, he proved he was able to back it up by pulling off an incredible turnaround job in two seasons.

In contrast, Rivers has something of a reputation for being an underachiever. Despite regularly coaching teams to the playoffs, his 2008 title with the Boston Celtics remains the only championship of his coaching career.

The context does add a bit to Rivers’ argument, but not much. At this point it’s fairly easy to see why he has supposedly lost the Milwaukee locker room, and his days with the organization are probably numbered.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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