Doc Rivers and Giannis: Who Really Deserves the Criticism?

An interesting debate is brewing around Doc Rivers, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and what it really means to be a good NBA coach. And I’m not sure either side has the whole story. Rivers recently questioned Giannis’ basketball IQ on a podcast, saying the Milwaukee forward wasn’t easy to coach and needed to learn to execute better. That didn’t sit well with rapper and sports commentator Cam’Ron, who took aim at Rivers’ coaching record on ESPN’s First Take.

Cam’Ron didn’t hold back. He pointed out that Rivers has won only one NBA championship, back in 2008 with Boston, and questioned why he’s still regarded as one of the league’s best coaches.

It’s a fair question. But there’s another side.

Cam’Ron Has a Point About the Results

Rivers has coached some very talented teams since winning that championship. His Los Angeles Clippers had opportunities to go deep in the playoffs but blew 3-1 series leads. His Philadelphia 76ers reached the second round three straight times but didn’t go any further. His Milwaukee tenure ended with a disappointing 32-50 season and no playoff appearance.

At some point, fans are entitled to ask what happened. Coaches get credit when teams win, so they have to accept some responsibility when things don’t work out. One championship in a long career isn’t exactly an overwhelming record when you’ve had that much talent to work with.

But NBA Coaching Is About More Than Championship Rings

On the other hand, Rivers has coached in the NBA for 27 seasons, won Coach of the Year, and is now a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Those honours don’t come from nowhere. And coaching Giannis isn’t necessarily as simple as drawing up a few plays. Giannis is an extraordinary athlete who can take over a game through strength, speed, and instinct. Perhaps Rivers wanted him to become more disciplined in certain situations and execute the team’s offence differently.

Stephen A. Smith offered an interesting comparison, suggesting Giannis is a bit like Mike Tyson in the boxing ring. His physical gifts and instincts are so unusual that fitting him into a conventional system might not always work. I can see both arguments.