The Bucks are 1-6 entering Wednesday night and while they’ve had a few really close games (including two against the Cavaliers), they look like they’re still figuring things out.
Not ideal for a veteran team — but certainly no reason for panic. There are still more than 70 games to go. Think about that. More than 70.
“We will make the playoffs,” Rivers told reporters after Monday’s loss in Cleveland. “I’m not worried about that.”
Overall, Rivers suggested, Milwaukee is plugging away and keeping the faith. And if you have to go through a slump, now would be the time to do it — as opposed to, you know, near the end of the season and in the playoffs.
“The team’s very positive. I think they’re upbeat,” Rivers said. “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.”
As Eric Nehm of The Athletic noted, 150 teams have started a season with a 1-6 record or worse since 1979. Of those 150, only 12 made the playoffs. And five did so with a losing record.
But again, it doesn’t seem Rivers is too worried about that right now. A team generally takes on the personality and approach of its coach, and Rivers is a positive person. You can bet the rest of the Bucks are still believing, too.
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