Bucks Zone

"The expectations are high" – Pat Connaughton on the Milwaukee Bucks' season outlook now that Doc Rivers is the head coach

Pat Connaughton knows what’s at stake this season.

Jonas Panerio

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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Expectations set for the Milwaukee Bucks this season were already sky-high, especially with the acquisition of seven-time All-Star and All-NBA team member Damian Lillard. However, those exact expectations have been ratcheted up with the arrival of well-respected head coach Doc Rivers, who’s taking over for Adrian Griffin.

Bucks are expected to be dominant

While the Bucks have already racked up 32 wins, many in the organization—including the players themselves—believe there’s still a next level to reach. It’s a level that the Bucks’ decision-makers did not believe Griffin could unlock with this group of players.

In comes Rivers, who has a track record of success and the respect of his players. His experience and leadership will be crucial for the Bucks as they aim for their second championship in the last four years.

“The expectations are high,” Connaughton said.

“And not only are they high, but you’ve got a lot of guys who have won at the highest of levels. And (Griffin’s) experiences aren’t the same as ours. I feel like that’s a tough situation to be put in.”

Teams should be more fearful of the Bucks

Losses to subpar teams have dulled the Bucks’ aura this season, and one of Doc’s tasks is to restore that fear factor.

“You talk about the talent that we have on the team; teams should be a little bit more afraid to play us. I think right now, with the way our defense has been playing and the way we've kind of been up and down in games specifically – I know we have a great record – I don't think teams have really been worried about coming in and playing us whether it's at home or on the road,” Connaughton shared.

Seasoned veteran Jae Crowder echoed his teammate’s sentiment, saying that, at times, they feel like they haven’t scratched the surface of what they can do as a team.

“I just feel like winning games in a fashion we want to win and not feeling a certain way after a win, not feeling like … we won a lot of games to this point, but we’ve had a lot of games where we felt like we won and we didn’t play to our full potential,” Crowder said.

Doc Rivers to sign a four-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO