JJ Redick has heard enough excuses from Doc Rivers.
The ESPN analyst ripped Rivers during an appearance on Tuesday’s First Take, calling out the Milwaukee Bucks coach for not taking accountability.
“I’ve seen the trend for years. The trend is always making excuses,” Redick said. “We get it. Taking over a team in the middle of the season is hard. Just like getting traded in the middle of the season is hard for a player. But it’s always an excuse. … There’s never accountability with that guy.”
Redick played for Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2013 to 2017, so his words carry extra weight in this situation. He’s also far from the only player who has questioned Rivers’ coaching style.
Rasheed Wallace and Josh Smith have ripped Rivers in the past, and there have been rumors regarding players’ displeasure with him as well. Rivers and James Harden clearly struggled to get along over the previous two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Redick’s comments are noteworthy because of the former Duke guard’s generally reserved demeanor. He’s not what’s known as a hot-take artist in the media community; he’s made a quick name for himself at ESPN for providing nuanced thoughts and breaking down X’s and O’s.
So, for Redick to outright rip Rivers in public would indicate he’s seen this pattern himself firsthand.
The Bucks are just 3-7 since Rivers took over for Adrian Griffin last month.