The NBA on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than just a marathon of televised games; it is a cultural institution. For Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, the holiday has evolved from a nascent league experiment into a profound personal milestone that bridges his playing days, his coaching career, and now, his son’s budding media empire.
In a candid conversation, Rivers took a moment to look back at the origins of the MLK Day tradition—a reflection sparked by an unlikely source—and discussed the pride of watching his son, Austin Rivers, find his voice in the broadcast booth.
A Milestone Forty Years in the Making
When the NBA first began scheduling marquee matchups to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the league was a different landscape. For Doc Rivers, the realization of just how long he has been part of this tradition came as a bit of a shock during this year’s festivities.
Reflecting on his history with the holiday, Rivers shared a startling realization about his longevity in the sport. “Well, someone told me today, it was, this is going to be an awful statement I’m about to make. Okay. It was 40 years ago, today, we played in the first Martin Luther King game day, it’s a Hawks versus the Milwaukee Bucks,” Rivers noted.
The matchup is a poetic coincidence. Four decades ago, Rivers was a young, tenacious guard for the Atlanta Hawks, competing in one of the inaugural games meant to celebrate the Civil Rights leader. Fast forward to the present, and he is at the helm of the Milwaukee Bucks—the very team he faced forty years prior. It is a testament to Rivers’ enduring presence in the league, having transitioned from a floor general to one of the most respected coaches in NBA history.
The Unlikely Researcher: Austin Rivers
Perhaps more surprising than the statistic itself was the person who brought it to Doc’s attention. Austin Rivers, a ten-year NBA veteran who has recently made a seamless transition into sports media and broadcasting, was the one to remind his father of the 40-year anniversary.
“Yeah, Austin Rivers told me that today. Austin, of all people, who does no research. I don’t know how you found that out. But he asked me that before the game,” Doc joked.
The playful jab at his son’s research habits highlights the warm, competitive rapport the two share. While Doc may poke fun at Austin’s prep work, the fact that Austin sought out that specific piece of family history speaks to the deep connection the Rivers family has with the game of basketball. For the elder Rivers, the day was made even sweeter by the result on the court: “We won the game today.”
A New Chapter in the Headlines
As Austin Rivers moves further into the world of broadcasting, he has quickly become known for his unfiltered opinions and sharp analysis. In an era where “hot takes” often dominate the news cycle, Austin has frequently found himself in the headlines for his commentary on the modern game.
When asked about seeing his son’s name trending for his words rather than his jump shot, Doc expressed a mix of fatherly pride and seasoned advice. “Yeah, it’s funny. I love the first part the most that he’s doing the game that I’m doing,”Doc said, acknowledging the unique experience of being coached while his son analyzes the action from the sidelines.
However, as someone who has dealt with the media for a lifetime, Doc has offered Austin guidance on how to navigate the spotlight. “I told him to make sure when he’s in the headline for something he says, it’s really good what he said, I think that’s very important,” Rivers emphasized.
It is a lesson in intentionality. In the digital age, being loud is easy, but being substantive is what creates a lasting career. According to Doc, Austin is taking that responsibility seriously. “And he’s doing a great job at it. He’s actually really working at it and loves it, so I’m very happy for him.”
The Legacy of the Game
The intersection of MLK Day and the Rivers family story serves as a microcosm of the NBA’s evolution. From Doc playing in the very first commemorative games in Atlanta—the home of Dr. King—to Austin analyzing those same games forty years later, the narrative is one of progress and continuity.
For Doc Rivers, the day wasn’t just about a 2-0 record in his memory bank; it was about the realization that his legacy in the game is being carried forward by the next generation, albeit in a different uniform and behind a different microphone.
As the Milwaukee Bucks continue their push toward the postseason, Doc Rivers remains a fixture of the league’s history and its present. And while he may feel “awful” about the passage of forty years, the impact he—and now his son—continues to have on the sport is anything but.
