Doc Rivers Called 'a Championship-Level Coach' amid Hot Seat Buzz, Says Bucks GM Horst

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has yet to make the impact that was expected of him when he was hired midway through the 2023-24 season, but general manager Jon Horst hasn't lost faith.

Horst told The Athletic's Eric Nehm that he remains confident that Rivers can help the Bucks compete for an NBA championship before he closes the book on his legendary career.

"I think the reason why I still love working with Doc and I’m excited to work with Doc is because I think we have a chance to win with Doc," Horst said. "I think he’s a championship-level coach. He’s the right coach to get us to where we want to go."

Rivers has a 65-53 record in 118 regular season games as Bucks head coach, including a 48-34 finish to the 2024-25 campaign. The team hasn't made it out of the first round of the playoffs in each of the last three years, two of which were with Rivers at the Helm.

Still, the 63-year-old is one of the most respected veteran coaching minds in the NBA. Letting go of Rivers would create a significant amount of uncertainty in Milwaukee as the franchise tries to work its way back toward title contention, so it makes sense that Horst is willing to forge ahead with him leading the team.