logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
56m 12s

Why Doc Rivers Is an Upgrade for the Buc...

The Ringer
About this episode

Logan and Raja discuss why the Milwaukee Bucks fired first-year head coach Adrian Griffin halfway into the season, whether the decision was ultimately justified, and if Doc Rivers is a better long-term fit for the Eastern conference contender (2:16). Along the way, the guys talk about how difficult it is to balance the demands of a star player with the needs of the rest of the franchise (14:30). Next, Raja explains what’s going through a player’s mind as the trade deadline approaches and the nerves that accompany that stretch of the season (28:15). Finally, the guys close with their Real Ones of the Week (47:43).

Email us questions for Mailbag Monday! realonesmailbag@gmail.com

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout ringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.

Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell

Producer: Jonathan Kermah

Production Assistant: Kai Grady

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 22
Knicks Offseason Thoughts and Expectations for the 2025-26 Season With Fred Katz
Wosny Lambre is joined by The Athletic’s Fred Katz to talk about all things Knicks. They discuss the coaching search that led to the Mike Brown hire and what Brown can help the Knicks improve on from last season. They also discuss realistic expectations for the Knicks this season ... Show More
1h 14m
Aug 16
League Pass Rankings, Season Schedule Insight, and Opening Night Expectations
The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann and Tyler Parker get together to discuss the release of the 2025-26 NBA schedule, expectations for the opening night matchup between the Rockets and Thunder, and the weakened East. Plus, Kyle presents his NBA League Pass rankings for the upcoming season. ... Show More
1h 6m
Aug 7
Top Five Best NBA Duos and Trae Young’s Frustration
Howard Beck and Michael Pina assess the NBA landscape and give their current top five duos across the league. Who’s the top duo, and who gets an honorable mention? They also reminisce on the top duos of all time. Plus, did De’Aaron Fox's extension make things that much harder for ... Show More
1h 12m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 17
The Jalen Williams Game, Haliburton’s Injury, OKC Vs. MJ’s Bulls, and Giannis’s Future With Doc Rivers
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Doc Rivers to react to OKC taking a commanding 3-2 lead against the Pacers in the NBA Finals (2:18). Then, they discuss Tyrese Haliburton’s injury and the Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau (22:08). Finally, they talk about SGA’s development, Giann ... Show More
1h 17m
Jun 9
All Tied Up in the NBA Finals: What Happened and What to Watch for in Game 3. Plus, Offseason News, Notes, and Fake Trades With Michael Pina.
Zach and Michael Pina discuss the 1-1 NBA Finals from the city of Game 3, Indianapolis (1:52). They talk about the keys to the Thunder's victory, what the Pacers can do to adjust, and much more. Then, with an eye toward the offseason, the pair discusses the Hawks' outlook (41:16) ... Show More
1h 18m
Jul 3
Colin Cowherd Podcast - Deandre Ayton Joins Lakers, Will Giannis Stay With Bucks? NFL Snow Games, NBA West WAY Better Than East
Colin’s joined by Danny Parkins, host of “Breakfast Ball” on FS1! They start by reacting to the news that the Lakers signed former #1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton to a two year deal and argue that you can’t get away with being a small team in a western conference that’s loaded with ... Show More
1h 1m
Mar 2025
Phoenix in Shambles, Cleveland’s Ceiling, Best Third Bananas, NBA Refs, St. John’s, and ‘Season on the Brink’ With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the continued disaster that is the Phoenix Suns' season, what Kevin Durant's trade options will be this summer, and whether Devin Booker should be untouchable (03:02). Then, they play a game of "I Just Don't Have An ... Show More
2h 15m
Oct 2024
The Biggest Questions Leading Up to the NBA Season
Verno and Jacoby go through some of the most burning questions leading up to the start of the NBA season (02:00). They talk about Joel Embiid’s comments about not playing anymore back-to-backs, which teams other than the Thunder can reach the 1-seed in the West, Donte DiVincenzo, ... Show More
1h 23m
Jun 10
SGA’s Game 2 Masterpiece, Summer NBA Chaos Watch, McDavid’s Cup Quest, and ‘Tires’ With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to react to OKC taking Game 2 at home against the Pacers in the NBA Finals (2:25). Then, they discuss the bad ratings for these Finals and why the NHL Stanley Cup final may be more interesting this year (18:07). Finally, they p ... Show More
1h 56m
Jun 30
The NBA Summer Movement Preview With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the upcoming NBA free agency, plus some big deals that already came from the Rockets and Timberwolves (2:07). Then, they talk about their favorite free agents, Yang Hansen, and the Collin Sexton trade (35:33). Finall ... Show More
2h 3m
Jun 26
The Celtics Blow It Up and More Predraft Story Lines With Chris Mannix
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Mannix to discuss the Celtics trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis early in the offseason (2:36). Then, they talk about the Atlanta Hawks’ future, Achilles injuries, and the Kevin Durant trade (29:51). Finally, they discuss ... Show More
1h 20m
Apr 2025
Rory’s Special Win, Beware of the Clips, NBA Playoff Gut Reactions, and the Luka Trade Part 93 With Ryen Russillo
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo right after Rory McIlroy’s wild win at the Masters to discuss Rory finally getting the monkey off his back and the ridiculous pressure that comes with the sport of golf (2:22). Next, they break down the final day of the NBA reg ... Show More
2h 15m
Jun 12
The Cinderella Pacers Do It Again, Plus Trade Buzz From Indiana With Zach Lowe
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to react to the Pacers taking a 2-1 lead against OKC in the NBA Finals (1:55). Then, they talk about Indianapolis as a sports city, Bennedict Mathurin’s impact, and SGA not playing well enough in Game 3 (24:28). Finally, they discu ... Show More
1h 35m