Doc Rivers Takes Blame for Bucks' 1-4 Start: 'It's All on Me Until It's Right' | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 28: Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks signals during the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 28, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: By downloading and/or using this photo, User expressly acknowledges and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo: Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers takes responsibility for the team’s 1-4 start following Thursday’s 122-99 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm

Doc Rivers: “The defensive transition tonight was still terrible and that’s on me. Everything is on me until we get it right. We’ve got to fix that.”

The Bucks scored 122.25 points per game during the losing streak. All four of these losses were in double digits.

On Thursday, Memphis led by as many as 31 points on 52.4% shooting. The Grizzlies also scored 40 points in the first quarter and outrebounded the Bucks 56-38.

Rivers took over as head coach of the Bucks early in the second half of the 2023-24 season following the firing of head coach Adrian Griffin. Milwaukee has since gone 20-27 against Rivers (including the playoffs).

The Bucks’ defensive effort is particularly concerning. Heading into Thursday, Milwaukee ranked 24th in defensive rankings. Basketball-Reference. Other statistics and tape also tell the story.

Esfandiar Baraheni @JustEsBaraheni

Here’s what the Bucks have so far:
– 2nd worst transition defense
– 3rd worst transition offense
– last in drives per game
– dead last in passes
All of this is unusual for a team built around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie

We spent about 30 minutes on tape breaking down the Bucks’ defensive issues after their games against Chicago and Brooklyn earlier this week.
These thoughts remain true. https://t.co/kxcBpFiLI8

Milwaukee allowed Memphis to take a lot of open shots, especially in transition. The Bucks also saw Ja Morant, who had a triple-double, provide an assist while sitting courtside.

Fans are naturally pessimistic about the future of this team.

Jonny Rizzo @jonspicks

The Bucks are getting kicked out by a depleted Grizzlies team. This defense is beyond bad. I think we’re about a month away from Giannis asking out of Milwaukee. They’re not going anywhere at incredible speed.

Anthony Birch @AnthonyEBirch

I don’t even know how he’s going to fix the Bucks team. But it starts on defense.

Brandon FREEDOM WNBA CHAMPS @GPIsCooked

Is it just me or is the Bucks’ defense worse than last year?

KD @KG1BS0N

The Bucks defense is Swiss cheese….

Good news? Five games into this season and the Bucks still have two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-way superstar.

Bad news? The Bucks look like one of the worst teams in the NBA right now, and the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers are next in the two-game set.

Game 1 will be played in Milwaukee on Saturday.