- The Milwaukee Bucks are 3-7 since hiring Doc Rivers to coach them in January
- JJ Reddick played for Rivers in all four seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
Austin Rivers defended his father, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, after his former teammate and ESPN colleague JJ Redick accused him of lacking accountability.
On Tuesday’s episode of First Take, Redick made a fiery rant on Doc, who is 3-7 since taking over for the Bucks in late January. Since he accepted the job, Redick has taken over Doc’s on-air duties at ESPN.
Later that day, Austin appeared on NBA Today and weighed in on Redick’s criticism.
“First of all, I don’t feel responsible for taking care of my father, he’s a grown man,” Rivers said. ‘In this sense, I simply do not agree. For someone who is “not responsible”, it seems like he is always considered responsible. Considering he’s always the guy who gets fired when things don’t go well.
‘It’s just weird coming from JJ and I have love for JJ, you’re my Dukey, you know I love you. It’s just that your best years were with the Clippers. I don’t think it saved your career, thank you Pat (Beverley), this seems a bit strange.’
Austin Rivers defended his father Doc after JJ Redick accused him of not being accountable
Redick’s criticism stemmed from Rivers being 3-7 since taking the coaching job with the Bucks.
Rivers was hired in late January after Milwaukee fired former coach Adrian Griffin midseason.
‘They are 3-7. Dame missed most of those games. (Khris) Middleton missed a lot of those games. They haven’t even had their full team yet. We’ll see what happens. The pressure is there. But in terms of accountability, what are we doing here? Your best years in the NBA were when you played for him.
Austin reiterated his respect for Redick and the career he had in the league. However, he noted how “strange” Redick’s attitude toward Doc is, considering the time they spent together in Los Angeles.
He also referenced Patrick Beverly’s reaction to Redick’s criticism. Beverley played for Doc in Los Angeles and was traded to the Bucks shortly after Doc was hired.
“This Man Doc really saved your career,” Beverly wrote in
Redick didn’t hold back and questioned Beverly’s claims.
‘Pat, my boy, I had a four-year offer with a player option for the same money to be a starter on a different team. FOH “saved my career,” Redick responded.
Bucks veteran Patrick Beverley also responded to Redick’s criticism and defended Rivers.
Rivers coached his son, Redick and Beverly during his seven years with the LA Clippers.
Rivers is one of the most respected coaches in NBA history. In his 24-plus seasons, Rivers compiled a 1,100-770 coaching record and an NBA title with the Celtics in 2008.
Despite what appeared to be a good player-coach relationship with the Clippers, Redick was passionately critical of Rivers.
“I’ve seen the trend, I’ve seen it for years,” Redick said. ‘The tendency is always to make excuses. Doctor, we understand. Taking charge of a team in the middle of the season is difficult. Just as being traded mid-season is difficult for a player, we understand.
‘It’s always an excuse. He’s always ruining your team. They lose to Memphis, ‘oh it’s their players’ fault!’ Memphis was playing G League guys and two-way guys. If you look at his statements over the weekend, does he now want to take credit for James Harden’s trade to the Clippers? Do you want credit for that? There’s never any responsibility with that guy.’