Doc Rivers Speaks on Early Struggles as Coach of 76ers Rival

During last year's offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers made a big change within the organization. After just three seasons as head coach, the front office decided to part ways with Doc Rivers to bring in Nick Nurse as head coach.

Rivers began the year as a broadcaster for ESPN, but recently found himself back in the coaching mix. A few weeks ago, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to dismiss head coach Adrian Griffin and brought in Rivers to replace him.

The Bucks made a big splash this offseason by bringing in Damian Lillard. They are looking to contend for a title now, and Rivers has be called on to navigate this mid-season change.

Through his first few weeks as coach, Milwaukee finds themself with a 3-7 record. The Bucks were in second place in the Easter Conference for a majority of this season, but have since dropped to third.

During a recent interview, Rivers talked about being thrown into this situation on the fly. He admitted that he wanted to take the position after the All-Star break, but the organization did not want to wait.

"Taking a job when you’re about to go on the toughest road trip of the season is not the smartest decision," Rivers, who will be coaching the Eastern Conference team in Sunday’s All-Star Game, said Saturday during the NBA’s All-Star Media Day. "I even told them that: ‘Can we wait ‘til All-Star break?’ You know, it would have been a lot nicer."

He also talked about the struggles of trying new systems with the Bucks during one of their toughest stretches of their schedule.

"And the organization felt strongly that a change needed to be made defensively and things like that, and that’s what we’re doing. The problem is, while you’re doing that, you’re in the middle of the season on the toughest trip."

Among the teams Rivers and the Bucks have to worry about in the standings is the Sixers. They are currently just two games behind them in fifth place with a 32-22 record.

Rivers will face off against his former team in one of the Bucks' first games after the All-Star break. The Sixers are slated to host Giannis Antetokounmpo and company on February 25th.