Draymond Green breaks down the Bucks' defensive struggles after hiring Doc Rivers, explaining that the drop coverage scheme depends on having Jrue Holiday's chasing ability. Green says blaming fired assistant Adrian Griffin oversimplifies the problem, and notes Rivers isn't known as a defensive specialist and has a history of championship runs and busts.
Chapters
To kind of blame Adrian Griffin for the lack of defense, I think that's a tough thing to do. They play a lot of drops with Brook and Giannis. When you got Jrue chasing over, Jrue's not screenable. Then it's easier to be in a drop. But when you don't have Jrue chasing over, then that drop looks totally different. All of a sudden guys coming out, dotting your eye. I think it's tough to blame that on Adrian Griffin. I also think that's a tough position for Doc to come in under also, because if that's a personnel thing, What's Doc supposed to do? So then you're coming in expected to be the savior. I've never known Doc to be the greatest defensive coach in the world. What I have known Doc is to have some offensive sets that'll have you scratching your head like, "Where was I supposed to be and help on that one?" Tough circumstance, I think, to come in under. And then you're also coming in on championship and bust. Doc has been under that since— for the last 10, 15 years of his career, championship or bust. So it's not necessarily unfamiliar territory for him, but you're also coming in midseason and you're expected to turn that thing around like that. Draymond Green.