Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was on the receiving end of criticism after defending himself over the multiple 3-1 leads he’s blown out during his coaching career.
In a conversation with Marc J. Spears of Andscape (via NBA Central on X), Rivers clapped back at his critics, saying he should get credit for taking teams to a 3-1 lead regardless of the outcome of the series.
“No one tells a real story,” he said. “And I’m fine with that. It’s unfair in some ways. I don’t get enough credit for getting the three wins. I get credit for losing.”
Many fans rejected his take and went in on him for wanting to be celebrated for losing.
“You’re legit on national television making zero adjustments and that’s why you’re getting clowned,” one fan said.
“Most overrated coach ever. He’s like the Paul George of coaches,” another fan said.
“Bro wants more credit for losing a series is he even real,” a third fan said.
“Is this true! It’s like some of Bron fans claiming that he is the goat because he went to finals 10 times but MJ didn’t,” a fourth fan wrote.
“Doc really out here asking for credit for blowing leads in a *longer* way,” a fifth fan commented.
“I think blowing a 3-1 lead is worse than being swept,” a sixth fan said.
Rivers has earned a bad reputation due to his lack of adjustments during playoff series, which has led to three 3-1 series-lead blown during his coaching career. Rivers’ Orlando Magic blew this advantage against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2003 playoffs. In 2015, his Los Angeles Clippers had the same fate against the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets in the 2015 and 2020 Western Conference second round, respectively.