Even familiar stories can surprise you with unexpected turns. One minute, a player is ready to quit; the next, he’s a history-maker. That’s the beauty of the game! What feels like an ending can transform into a brand-new beginning. And right now, as the Milwaukee Bucks face an offseason full of questions, a timely story from Celtics legend Paul Pierce is adding a whole new layer to the Doc Rivers conversation.

On the latest episode of The Underground Lounge hosted by Lou Williams, Paul Pierce sat down with the 38-year-old and shared an honest memory of his early struggles with Doc Rivers. Spending nearly close to a decade with the same franchise, the two didn’t always get along well in the initial years. “Me and Doc used to argue like we didn’t get along at the jump,” Paul Pierce admitted. During a timeout, he remembers yelling “trade me,” destroying the board, and angrily returning to the court, convinced it wouldn’t work.

But something changed. Paul Pierce started listening. He realized Doc wasn’t tearing him down, he was trying to build something bigger. “He was trying to tell me to change my ways. I’m making All-Star every year, but he like, ‘You got to change the way you play if we gonna win,‘” Paul Pierce explained. The result? A career year across the chart. “Everything career high,” Pierce said. “I appreciate that, but we still garbage.” And yet, the moment when he stayed instead of leaving was the start of something legendary for both Pierce and the Boston Celtics.

Their biggest success came in 2008, when the Celtics managed to bag the NBA Championship in a dominant fashion by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. This happens to be the 47-year-old’s only ring, and he was named the Finals MVP as well. But it was not Pierce alone who helped in his dominance; it was the ‘Big Three’ era of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, under the guidance of Rivers. And it seemed like this was the beginning of the Celtics’ high. Post this, they managed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals three times (2008, 2010, 2012).

Coming back to the conversation, Lou then circled back to Doc Rivers’ greatest strength: his motivation. Lou chimed in, “Doc saved my career,” and spoke of how Doc gave him confidence when he thought he was done. “He gave me the keys to the car,” Lou said. Paul Pierce agreed, “Doc is the best motivator ever… his pregame speeches are legendary.” These stories show what Doc can bring to a team. But they also highlight the challenge he faces now in Milwaukee, where motivation may not be enough.

This brings us to the latest storm brewing in Bucks’ territory. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is up in the air after another playoff collapse and a serious injury to Damian Lillard. Rumors are in the air about a potential trade for the 30-year-old, and his cryptic social media post only added fuel to the fire. Austin Rivers, Doc’s son, didn’t hold back. He said, “You don’t have anything to win there with him right now… that team is not going anywhere.”

But wait, let’s dive deeper into this.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Doc Rivers: Chapter closed?

The Bucks find themselves in a tight spot, and Doc Rivers is on the tough end of the stick. Additionally, with the fiasco that was when the Bucks blew the seven-point lead in overtime against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Tuesday, yeah, the fans have not been kind. Top that with the first-round playoffs exit for the third straight year, and you would see a rather dark picture. Many want the head coach gone, owing to his string of collapses in the playoffs in recent years, which includes his run with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

On the other hand, Giannis is still dominant, but the roster around him isn’t built to compete next season. And with Damian Lillard expected to miss significant time next season, too, it further complicates the situation. “They are not going to get any better, that team is not going anywhere,” Austin Rivers said bluntly on The Ryen Russillo Podcast.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has made his goals clear in the past. “I want to win another title,” he said earlier this year. But after another postseason collapse and a serious injury to Dame, the chances of contending look slim. “It’s the hard reality,” Austin continued, focusing on the fact that he doesn’t have anything to win there with the Bucks.

The tension is rising. Giannis dropped a cryptic post on Instagram featuring a picture of him with his head hung low with the caption “🙏🏾🫡,” and fans are already treating it like a goodbye. Austin didn’t dance around it: “I’m nervous for [Doc], and what is expected of him with this team.” He went even further, adding, “If Giannis is there and they’re not winning, it’s a circus.”

Austin has a vision for his father’s future. “Selfishly… I’d love him to get a startup team, a young team,” he said. “Go, coach—look what he did with the Clippers team.” It’s a strong statement, and it’s the one that’s hard to ignore. If the Bucks blow it up, Doc might get the kind of project where he shines again.

One thing is certain: change is coming. Whether Giannis Antetokounmpo stays or goes, it’s clear that the clock is ticking in Milwaukee. And for Doc Rivers, this next move could define how the final chapter of his coaching career plays out. Just like he did with Paul Pierce, maybe he finds a way to turn tension into triumph… if given the chance.