"Never been hugged more by our rookies" - Doc Rivers gets honest as Bucks fairytale NBA Cup run prolongs
Doc Rivers has helped turn the season around for the Milwaukee Bucks after a poor start early in the campaign. The Bucks are on the brink of winning the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. He also explained why there's more intensity in cup games, joking about how his rookies loved getting the win.
Speaking to reporters after Milwaukee's 110-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals, Rivers was asked about the difference between a regular season game and a cup game. He noticed that his players are naturally competitive, while also pointing out having something to play for.
"A lot of people say it's the money. and it's not," Rivers said. "It's the competition. Now, the guys who aren't playing, it's the money. I've never been hugged more by our rookies in my life than after that game. I mean, they were celebrating like it was a big game, but I just think it's a competition." [2:22 - 2:42]
Each player will receive $514,971 if their team lifts the Emirates NBA Cup. They are guaranteed to take home at least $205,988 regardless of the final result. While the winning takes home more than half a million dollars, the losing team is still set to receive a lot of money to distribute to their players.
The Milwaukee Bucks have three rookies on their roster, Liam Robbins, AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith. They have salaries of $578K, $2.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, this season.
Doc Rivers added that it was about challenging his team and taking it head on. Now, they are one win away from winning the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. They will face the OKC Thunder in the final, which is a good matchup on paper.
The Bucks have the star power Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but the Thunder have the youth led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. "The Greek Freak" and SGA are two of the favorites to win the MVP this season just behind Denver's Nikola Jokic.
Doc Rivers motivates his team to win the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup
One of the drawbacks of the inaugural NBA Cup was players didn't care about it to try and win. However, it changed this season as more were informed regarding the importance of the tournament. Doc Rivers emphasized wanting the challenge of winning the NBA Cup to motivate his players.
"Let's put our name out there," Rivers said, according to Yahoo! Sports. "We're gonna try to win it. If we don't win it, we don't win it, but ... there's nothing wrong with saying you want to win something, and if you win it, great, and you don't, at least you went for it."
The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final is on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.