Bucks HC Doc Rivers has shot at redemption after years of ridicule

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has, unfairly or not, caught a lot of flak in recent years. 

Besides constantly being reminded that he's the only coach to blow multiple 3-1 playoff leads, Rivers has been accused of politicking his way into the Bucks job by getting his predecessor, Adrian Griffin, fired.

Some of the Boston Celtics players he coached to a 2008 championship, like Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, have mocked his coaching style and reluctance to adapt to the modern NBA.

Doc Rivers leads Bucks to winning start

This season, Rivers has a golden opportunity to remind everyone why he was named one of the NBA's top 15 coaches of all time.  

Rivers' Bucks improved to 4-1 with a 120-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, even with star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out of the game with knee soreness.

The Bucks' hot start can be attributed to Rivers' willingness to field a 12- and 13-man rotation and trust his players, many of whom are castaways and former G Leaguers given a new lease on life.

Doc Rivers building a squad of unknowns

As many as seven Bucks players are averaging double-digit points through five games, and three others — Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuza and Taurean Prince — are contributing over 8.0 points. 

The Bucks' democratic offense caught the Warriors off guard on Thursday, as Ryan Rollins led the way with 32 points, with seven others also reaching double digits. Multiple Bucks players seem ready for career-high seasons, thanks to their head coach's support.

While Rollins (6.2 to 18.6 PPG), AJ Green (7.4 to 11.8) and Gary Trent Jr. (11.1 to 13.4) are seeing notable upticks in their year-over-year PPG, Cole Anthony, the offseason acquisition, is averaging 13.0 points and 5.8 assists after posting 9.4 points and 2.7 assists with the Orlando Magic last year. Additionally, Myles Turner is beginning to find his footing after a relatively slow start in his first year in Milwaukee.

Rivers deserves praise for quickly ushering in a new era for the Bucks after the departure of longtime players like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton, as well as the loss of All-Star guard Damian Lillard. 

"The whole team…we embolden our guys. That's what we’re doing," Rivers said after Thursday's win, via TalkBasket. "We're telling them to shoot, hunt for matchups, make plays and move the ball."

If Rivers can lead the Bucks to 50 or more wins, he will deserve serious consideration for Coach of the Year. He might even convince Antetokounmpo to stay amid rumors of "The Greek Freak" looking for greener pastures.