Ex-Warriors Star Questions Doc Rivers’ Legacy Years After Championship Run vs Kobe Bryant’s Lakers

Doc Rivers' coaching legacy might not be as bulletproof as some think, and Gilbert Arenas is here to remind us why. Arenas isn't one to hold back his opinions, and his latest take on Doc Rivers' legacy as a coach adds a spark to the ongoing debate. With the Milwaukee Bucks stumbling out of the gate this season, holding a rough 1-6 record after another loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Arenas saw an opportunity to question Rivers' impact. He even questioned Rivers' contribution to '08 championship win against Kobe Bryant-led Lakers.

Nick Young, on the Gil's Arena Show, jumped in to defend Rivers. Reminding Arenas and the audience that beating Kobe's Lakers wasn't an easy feat. But was it Rivers, or the combined might of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo that led to that victory? At least, Arenas believes it was the Big 4.

And if you think about it, Kobe Bryant & Co. got their payback in 2010, outplaying that same Big 4. The point is simple, Rivers should not be given more credit for the '08 title than he deserves. Because coaches like Phil Jackson helmed dynasties when they had star-studded lineups at their hands.

To further emphasize his questions around Rivers' legacy as a coach, Gil mentioned a truth that can't be ignored. Rivers has, as stated by Arenas, coached more Hall of Famers than almost anyone else. But hasn't turned those opportunities into a dynasty or even multiple rings.

And the former Warriors star didn't stop there. He highlighted how previous Milwaukee Bucks coach Adrian Griffin was shown the door despite leading the team to a 30-13 start to the season in 2024. "And then the next 43 games, you're 19 and 25 and there's nothing... You got rid of Griffin. Okay, you f*cked up... But if you fire Doc right now, no one is going to be like, ah, that was a bad fire," Arenas said.

Why Doc Rivers might not have been the right move for Milwaukee Bucks? When whispers of Doc Rivers potentially stepping in as the next head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks surfaced, it raised more than a few eyebrows. One NBA executive's text to CBS Sports, "And the other Eastern Conference contenders breathe easier," sums up the sentiment perfectly. But why such relief at the mention of Rivers' name?

Well, Rivers' postseason history tells the story. It's hard to ignore that he's the only coach tied to three of the NBA's 13 blown 3-1 series leads. And it doesn't end there. As per CBS Sports, his 6-10 record in Game 7s stands as the most losses in these do-or-die situations, ever. Imagine having to watch your team go through that once, let alone enough times to set a record.