A recent report suggested that the Milwaukee Bucks’ chances are getting slimmer after a 1-6 start if history is going to be considered. Head coach Doc Rivers is unfazed.
In fact, he firmly believes that his team will make the playoffs despite that history.
There might have panic around them, from fans or those who want to see their core broken apart, but he insisted they remain upbeat despite the struggle. And that is an attitude that will keep them in playoff contention he said.
“The team’s very positive. I think they’re upbeat,” Rivers told Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
“No one wants to lose. We have some tough games coming up, but one win at a time. We win three or four in a row and then the numbers say if you’re 5-6 after that, you have an 80 percent chance to make the playoffs, you know? So that’s where numbers are so silly sometimes, especially early in the year. And we don’t pay much attention to them.”
The stat in question suggests the Bucks will be a mid to below average team, with playoffs almost out of hand for them.
“Since 1970, 150 NBA teams have started 1-6 or worse. Just 12 of those teams made the playoffs that season, and five of those did that with a losing record. None won more than 47 games. Bucks have a steep hill to climb,” shared NBA reporter Mike Vorkunov after their loss to the Cavs.
Doc Rivers’ mood echoed by Damian Lillard
Rivers is not panicking, so is is Lillard who recognized that they are starting slow – ugly even – but they are taking it one game at a time.
“A 1-6 start, it’s ugly,” Lillard said.
“But when you look at the big picture, it’s such a long season, 75 games left. And I’ve been part of the teams that have won 16 straight, 14 straight. Sometimes, you just get in a ditch. Sometimes, it can happen in the middle of the season. It can happen toward the end of the season. And I think because it’s happening at the beginning and we got one win and six losses, it just looks different.”
The Bucks played their last game without Giannis Antetokounmpo while Khris Middleton remains out.
Their next opponent will be the Utah Jazz which is the worst team in the Western Conference, tied with Bucks’ 1-6.
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