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JJ Redick Calls Out Former Coach Doc Rivers For Lack Of ‘Accountability’: ‘Always An Excuse’

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers argues with referee Ken Mauer #41 after a technical foul call against the Brooklyn Nets in overtime at Barclays Center on November 29, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo: Getty Images)

Former Los Angeles Clipper and NBA shooting guard JJ Redick called out his former coach Doc Rivers in an ESPN broadcast appearance.

Rivers was in Los Angeles for seven years from 2013-20, four of which he coached Redick. Rivers has since been with the Philadelphia 76ers for three years, and just recently found a job with the Milwaukee Bucks taking over for Adrian Griffin. Rivers has been taking his time to meet Griffin’s standard with team, struggling to with a 4-7 record since being hired.

Redick took issue with Rivers’ comments following many of these losses.

“I’ve seen the trend for years; the trend is always making excuses,” Redick noted. “Doc, we get it. Taking over a team in the middle of the season is hard… just like getting traded in the middle of the season is hard for a player. We get it. But it’s always an excuse. It’s always throwing your team under the bus.”

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“Then you look at his quotes over the weekend; now he wants to take credit for the James Harden trade to the Clippers working out?” Redick said. “He wants credit for that? There’s never accountability with that guy.”

One of Rivers’ current players and known quidnunc around the league, Patrick Beverly, took to social media and posted a response to Redick’s comments.

Redick replied promptly on X sharing that he was considering multiple offers when Rivers signed him to send him from the Bucks to the Clippers in 2013.

Other players and NBA analysts have spoken out about these comments including Stephen A. Smith and Austin Rivers, among others.

The Bucks have drawn a lot of attention around the league, and have gained a lot of pressure to perform well in the playoffs. After trading for all-star MVP Damian Lillard and firing Mike Budeholzer for Griffin, then pivoting to Rivers mid-season, the Bucks have made some major moves to win now. They don’t plan to wait. While Rivers still his time at third in the eastern conference, he will need to get better as the season winds down and the playoffs get closer.