In a highly anticipated move, Doc Rivers has been named as the 18th coach in the history of the Milwaukee Bucks. With a 31-14 record and sitting comfortably in the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings, the Bucks have shown promise this season. However, multiple players have expressed the need to find their identity as a team, a sentiment that Rivers echoed in his introductory news conference.

Rivers emphasized the importance of finding the team's identity, stating, "We have to find our identity. Like if you're gonna have the slogan 'Fear the Deer,' you gotta fear the deer." He posed the question to the players, "Who are we?" and acknowledged that they have yet to find the answer. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard as the team's superstar talents, Rivers sees the Bucks as one of the eight teams with a legitimate shot at going all the way.

Despite not planning on coaching this season, Rivers saw the Bucks as the right opportunity to get back on the sidelines. He highlighted the team's strong veteran presence and referred to them as "grown-ups," believing that they provide the best opportunity for quick connection and change. Although initially planning to enjoy an extended vacation, Rivers reiterated his love for coaching and his readiness to take on the challenge.

The Bucks currently rank third in offensive rating, scoring an impressive 120.1 points per 100 possessions. However, their defensive rating of 116.5 points surrendered per 100 possessions leaves them in 19th place. With a plus-3.6 net rating, the Bucks have room for improvement, and Rivers acknowledged that significant changes need to be made.

One of the challenges Rivers faces is the limited time available for practices with the remaining schedule. He mentioned that they will have three or four days to hold real practices and stressed the need for organization and not rushing into too many changes. Rivers plans to start working on implementing those changes immediately.

While Interim coach Joe Prunty will lead the Bucks for the third straight game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rivers will officially take over coaching duties in the much-anticipated game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

Rivers, reflecting on his career, admitted to coaching teams with high expectations after winning an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. While he hasn't won another championship since then, he emphasized that his pursuit of winning is driven by his love for the game. With the support of star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez, Rivers is looking to bring another championship to Milwaukee.

As the new head coach, Rivers knows that expectations in Milwaukee are high. Yet, he feels confident in his pursuit of victory and recognizes the hunger within his team. The challenge now lies in building an identity for the Bucks and harnessing their potential to compete at the highest level.

With Doc Rivers at the helm, the Bucks and their fans are full of anticipation as they embark on this new chapter in their franchise's history.