Shannon Sharpe Sends Blunt Message on Bucks HC Doc Rivers During Pacers Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 8:02 AM ET

Former Tight End Shannon Sharpe criticized Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers after they lost 117-98 in Indianapolis against the Pacers. Rivers criticized the offense post-game calling them "awful".

The frustration around the offense is mainly because Kyle Kuzma, despite playing more than 20 minutes, had 0 across the board.

"Let's just say it's hard to score when you don't have the ball." Sharpe said regarding Kuzma in the latest episode of "First Take". "Is it hard? What about a rebound? What about an assist? What about a block? What about a steal?"

"I'm confused, Doc. You're the head coach and you're complaining about a guy and he's supposed to be that x factor." He added.

"Isn't that Doc Rivers' job to see if his guy is struggling, to diagram a play, to get him the ball, to get him easy shots?" Sharpe further said. "He didn't score, but I need Doc to explain why he didn't get a rebound? Why he didn't get an assist? Why he didn't get a steal? Why he didn't get a block shot in 22 minutes?"

Shanoon Sharpe just cooked Doc on ESPN lol pic.twitter.com/EF6cNtVdSO
— Maxence (@Xenceee) April 21, 2025

Sharpe's exasperation can be traced to Rivers' post-game take about Kuzma. He defended the forward despite it being the second time he has posted all zeroes.

"It’s hard to score when you don’t touch the ball,” Rivers said. Kyle got two shots in the first half, both with two seconds on the shot clock. So like, Kuzma can play. But we got to involve him and we got to make sure we keep him involved.”

With Game 2 being this Tuesday, the offense needs to back Giannis Antetokounmpo to turn the tables on Indiana. Damian Lillard's status was also switched to questionable for the match. The fans would like the Bucks to come out on top this time.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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