Former Buck Jae Crowder Criticizes Doc Rivers' Hiring by Bucks

Crowder believes Rivers' arrival as head coach contributed to the team's downfall after a strong start.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder has strongly criticized the team's decision to hire Doc Rivers as head coach in the middle of the 2023-24 season, replacing Adrian Griffin. Crowder, who played for the Bucks in 2022-23 and 2023-24, believes Rivers' arrival contributed to the team's struggles after a 30-13 start, leading to the eventual departure of star player Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Why it matters

Crowder's comments shine a light on the internal dynamics and decision-making within the Bucks organization, which has faced significant challenges in recent seasons despite having one of the NBA's best players in Giannis. The team's handling of the coaching change and subsequent performance has raised questions about the front office's leadership.

The details

Crowder, who played 68 games for the Bucks over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, took to Twitter to criticize the decision to fire Adrian Griffin just 43 games into the 2023-24 season and replace him with Doc Rivers. Crowder believes the move, which came with the team at 30-13, was the start of the team's downfall. In a follow-up interview, Crowder said Rivers' opening press conference, where he said he wouldn't wish the task on his worst enemy, was a "slap in the face" to the players.

  • The Bucks fired Adrian Griffin 43 games into the 2023-24 season.
  • The Bucks hired Doc Rivers as their new head coach to replace Griffin.

The players

Jae Crowder

A former NBA forward who played for the Bucks in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Adrian Griffin

The former Bucks head coach who was fired 43 games into the 2023-24 season.

Doc Rivers

The current Bucks head coach, who was hired to replace Adrian Griffin in the 2023-24 season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The star player of the Bucks, who Crowder believes may have been unhappy with the coaching change.

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What they’re saying

“WE WERE 30-13 BTW. TO BRING IN DOC. THIS IS WHAT STARTED THE AVALANCHE”

— Jae Crowder, Former Bucks Player

“What the (bleep) does that mean, you know? It's like, what are you talking about? You're taking over a team that's 30-13? What do you mean you don't wish this on your worst enemy. That's like a slap in the face to us players, if you understand what I'm saying.”

— Jae Crowder, Former Bucks Player

What’s next

The Bucks' front office will likely face increased scrutiny and pressure to turn the team around after Crowder's public criticism of the coaching change and Doc Rivers' performance.

The takeaway

Crowder's comments highlight the delicate balance teams must strike when making major coaching changes, especially with a superstar player like Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster. The Bucks' struggles since the Rivers hire suggest the organization may have misjudged the impact of the move on team chemistry and performance.