Milwaukee Bucks: Some Fans Want Joe Prunty to Coach Giannis Antetokounmpo, East at All-Star Game Instead of Doc Rivers
Somehow, Doc Rivers is going to coach the Eastern Conference squad at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game after the Milwaukee Bucks defeated Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday on the road, 129-117. With the Bucks earning the second-best record of 33-16 in the East on Feb. 4, just behind the 37-12 Boston Celtics. Since Joe Mazzulla already coached the East in 2023, he’s no longer eligible this year to coach in the event, paving the way for Rivers, who took over the head-coaching gig in Milwaukee after the team fired Adrian Griffin.
People Want to See Milwaukee Bucks Assistant Head Coach Joe Prunty to Mentor East All-Star Game Squad
However, some Bucks and NBA fans would rather see Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Joe Prunty be the one to coach the East team, and they voiced out that sentiment following the team’s loss to the Mavericks.
“Prunty and Dave Joerger should coach the all star team,” said X user @JCEFS27.
That was echoed as well by @miltown_mitch: “Let Prunty coach the east team.”
Another said: “Doc doesn’t even think he should be coaching the All Star Game lmao. LET PRUNTY COACH.”
Here’s one from @nihilist_bucks: “LET JOE PRUNTY COACH.”
“Send Prunty to Indy. #NotYourAverageJoe,” chimed in @JordanTreske.
It’s an opinion many have also voiced before Rivers even coached his first game with the Bucks, as they saw Prunty fill in to be Milwaukee’s interim head coach during the transition from Adrian Griffin to Rivers.
“Prunty coaches the All-Star game. Into it,” posted @WhampWhamp414.
“Prunty ends up coaching the all-star game and sits Dame and Giannis the whole time, go,” per
@BigLilHugeGuy.
To be fair to Rivers, he tried to beg off the All-Star Game coaching gig, but the NBA simply rejected that idea, according to Marc Stein.
Bucks come all the way back from 25 points down to win in Dallas and clinch a trip for their new coaching staff to the All-Star Game. Doc Rivers told me pregame he tried to convince the NBA he should not coach in Indy after just three games on the Bucks’ bench but was overruled.
