Accountability is a word that is frequently mentioned in the realm of sports. Whether individuals take responsibility for their actions or shift blame onto others, accountability is a common topic of discussion following certain events. Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has been at the center of discussions surrounding accountability since stepping in for Adrian Griffin before the All-Star break. JJ Redick criticized Rivers for his perceived lack of accountability over the years, leading to responses from the likes of Patrick Beverley and Doc’s son Austin.
“In terms of accountability, your best years in the NBA were when you played for him and the Clippers… It’s just very ironic and kinda weird that you have this energy towards him.” – Austin Rivers to JJ Redick
The ongoing conversation surrounding Rivers is somewhat amusing. Austin and Pat Bev have come to his defense against Redick, while Doc himself has been giving interviews where he seems to be deflecting blame. This aligns with Redick’s criticism of lack of accountability. Rivers has been let go from previous teams due to either reaching the end of his tenure or failing to lead the team to further success.
“I even brought it up to Kawhi: ‘Are you sure? I think Shai’s going to be an amazing player. It may take a year or two, but I think you’re underestimating how good Shai’s going to be.'” – Doc Rivers
Rivers appears to be tired of shouldering the blame for his teams’ shortcomings over the years. He is now implicating Kawhi Leonard in the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade that brought Paul George to Los Angeles. While there may be some truth to the conversation, throwing Leonard under the bus seems unnecessary at this point.
It seems that Rivers is eager to share his perspective and avoid being held accountable for past failures. The rough start in Milwaukee has brought these issues to the forefront. The Bucks have struggled since Doc took over, particularly with a notable loss to Memphis.
Rivers was expected to come in, make improvements, and guide the team in the right direction. However, he now seems to be positioning himself as a sympathetic figure, claiming he was unaware of the reasons behind the change in Bucks ownership. If Doc knew about the SGA trade, he likely knows why Griffin was ousted, but he refrains from calling out his star player Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In a league driven by star players, it is often the case that a coach’s dismissal under strange circumstances is influenced by the star player. With his experience as a player and coach, Rivers is aware of these dynamics. There have been speculations that Rivers may have been involved in Griffin’s removal, but these are mere rumors for now.
The world of sports is gradually resembling entertainment industries like WWE, especially with the rise of player podcasts. Despite the appearances of conflict, many of these individuals have longstanding relationships. Nevertheless, Redick raises a valid point about accountability. Beverley believes Redick should show more loyalty to their former coach, but the issue of accountability still lingers around Rivers. The outcome of this season remains uncertain, but come May, there may be more justifications for the team’s performance.
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