Doc Rivers has faced his fair share of criticism this season, much of it warranted. But there's one area where his expertise shines: managing those explosive scorers off the bench.
Remember Lou Williams? Rivers coached him for years, and Lou thrived in that sixth-man role.
He was a pure scorer, much like Cam Thomas today-a player who can come in cold and light up the scoreboard in minutes.
Now, Thomas finds himself with the Milwaukee Bucks after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets. This is his chance to showcase his skills, and he's not the type who needs a complex offensive system.
He needs a coach who understands the value of giving certain players the green light, and Rivers is that coach. He's been through this with Lou Williams.
The parallels between Thomas and Williams are striking: both are undersized scoring guards with defensive limitations but an uncanny ability to score. Williams built a career on this, winning multiple Sixth Man awards. Thomas could follow the same path in Milwaukee under Rivers' guidance.
Adding to this dynamic is Rajon Rondo, who remains involved as a consultant. We've seen Rondo's impact before, like with Ryan Rollins, who transitioned from a G-League prospect to a key rotation player. While Thomas may not have Rollins' defensive instincts, he can learn from Rondo about smart decision-making-when to shoot, when to pass, and how to control the game's pace.
Together, Rivers and Rondo create an ideal environment for Thomas. Rivers provides the freedom to score, while Rondo offers insights into becoming a more intelligent player. This combination transformed Lou Williams into a near Hall of Fame sixth man, and it could do the same for Thomas.
Thomas' recent 34-point outburst is a glimpse of what happens when a scorer finds his rhythm. Rivers knows not to overcoach players like Thomas. He lets them shine when their moment comes.
Milwaukee's bench has struggled offensively this season, and Thomas could be the spark they need. Rivers' experience with this player type is invaluable here.
Of course, Thomas needs to hold his own defensively, but if he can remain neutral on that end while delivering elite scoring, it's a win for the Bucks. Lou Williams wasn't known for his defense either-he just scored enough to offset it.
The Thomas-Rivers-Rondo trio has potential. Rivers manages his role, Rondo hones his craft, and Thomas focuses on what he does best.
Perhaps Doc has finally found the perfect player for his coaching style. It's been a long time coming.