The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks have flipped the script this season - and not in the way many expected.
Philadelphia, once buried near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, has surged into relevance. They’ve gone from afterthought to wild card, with a team that’s playing with purpose and edge.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee - a perennial playoff staple for nearly a decade - is looking anything but certain to extend that streak. Despite having Giannis Antetokounmpo still anchoring the franchise, the Bucks are struggling to find their rhythm, identity, and, perhaps most concerning, a clear path forward.
Giannis has remained loyal, publicly stating he won’t be the one to initiate a trade. But loyalty alone doesn’t fix what’s broken. And right now, the Bucks are a team with championship aspirations stuck in neutral - and a lot of the frustration is being directed at head coach Doc Rivers.
Doc Rivers and the Familiar Cycle
Rivers, who coached the Sixers from 2020 to 2023, is no stranger to criticism. Now in Milwaukee, he’s facing a familiar chorus - one that Philly fans know all too well.
The Bucks faithful are growing restless, and while Rivers isn’t officially on the hot seat, the pressure is mounting. His track record, which includes a championship and over 25 years of experience, still carries weight.
But the issues that have followed him from stop to stop are once again front and center.
Let’s be clear: Rivers is no stranger to success. He’s led teams deep into the playoffs, and his résumé still commands respect.
But there’s a growing sense that his reputation may outpace his recent results. The same coaching habits that frustrated Sixers fans - questionable rotations, a reluctance to adjust mid-game, and a tendency to lean on veterans at the expense of developing young talent - are now showing up in Milwaukee.
Old Habits, New City
One of the more glaring examples this season has been Rivers’ handling of his backcourt. Ryan Rollins, who’s having a breakout year, has seen inconsistent minutes despite his production.
Instead, Rivers continues to give extended run to Kevin Porter Jr., who, while more experienced, hasn’t offered the same upside. It’s a decision-making pattern that mirrors what we saw in Philadelphia, where promising young players often took a backseat - with the notable exception of Tyrese Maxey, who truly blossomed only after Rivers’ departure.
Then there’s the issue of in-game adjustments. Rivers has long been known for sticking to his pre-game blueprint, often at the expense of adapting to what’s happening on the floor.
It’s a trait that’s become increasingly problematic in a league that rewards flexibility and real-time decision-making. Opposing coaches are exploiting predictable rotations, and the Bucks are paying the price.
A Cautionary Tale from Philly
The Sixers didn’t wait too long to make a change. When they felt the ceiling under Rivers had been reached, they moved on - and it’s paying off.
The team looks more dynamic, more adaptable, and more in sync under new leadership. That’s not to say coaching is the only reason for Milwaukee’s struggles, but it’s hard to ignore the parallels.
For now, the Bucks seem committed to staying the course. The front office isn’t showing signs of making a change, even as the team slips further from the Eastern Conference elite. But the longer this version of the Bucks continues to underwhelm, the louder the calls for accountability will get.
Milwaukee still has the pieces to be dangerous - Giannis alone gives them a fighting chance on any night. But if the coaching continues to hold them back, the Bucks may find themselves watching the playoffs from the outside for the first time in nearly a decade. And for a team built to contend, that’s a hard pill to swallow.