Doc Rivers' impact on the Bucks is starting to show

The Milwaukee Bucks haven't looked like the championship contender many expected them to be. Under rookie head coach Adrian Griffin, the team lacked the defensive identity that helped lead them to the 2021 NBA championship. Milwaukee released Griffin on Jan. 23. They hired Doc Rivers shortly after.

It's taken some time for Rivers' impact to become apparent. The team is 6-4 in its last 10 games. However, the Bucks are currently ranked as the fourth-best defensive team over the past two weeks, per Cleaning the Glass. That jump in defensive execution has got the league sitting up and taking notice. 

During a recent interview with Sportskeeda's Mark Medina, veteran big man Brook Lopez shared his thoughts on the difference Rivers has made to the team's overall approach. 

“We’re in a good place right now. We’re confident that we’ll keep improving and keep getting better. Everyone is putting their best foot forward,” Lopez said. “They have the right intentions, so it’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Rivers is a championship-winning head coach. He's also one of the most respected coaching figures in the league. He consistently devises robust game plans that ensure his teams are a force during the postseason. 

However, his inability to win a championship with the Sixers has left some wondering whether he was the right coach for the Bucks job.

Milwaukee isn't an easy gig. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on the roster, success is expected. 

Yet, the Bucks are aging. Lopez is past his best. Khris Middleton is a shadow of the perimeter assassin he once was. Therefore, any hopes of contention have to come on the defensive end. Perhaps that's why Rivers made Patrick Beverley a primary target at the trade deadline. 

Fortunately for the Bucks, they're forming an identity. They're proving they can play defense at an elite level. If they can continue shutting down opposing teams while performing at a high level on offense, it won't be long until we begin to view them as a potential contender. After all, Giannis is an MVP-level talent who is in his prime. 

Rivers has an opportunity to add another championship to his resume. It may take another season for him to get Milwaukee to that level. However, his early work with the team has been incredibly encouraging. 

If the Bucks can stay healthy, they may look at their decision to hire Rivers midway through the season as clever. Right now, everything is trending in the right direction.