What Doc Rivers has said about San Antonio Spurs

4 quotes · 2 episodes · Jun 4, 2026 – Jun 17, 2026

Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks head coach, has been quoted on San Antonio Spurs 4 times in 2 episodes of The Bill Simmons Podcast, most recently on June 17, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

Rivers believes Wembanyama's limited minutes reflect a league-wide failure to ramp players up toward the playoffs.
“I think it's a league problem as much as a Wimby problem”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 11:03
Rivers says Wembanyama needs to develop a Tim Duncan–style face-up game because it defeats double teams.
“just the face-up to me is because you can't double-team him. He sees you coming. He will pick you apart”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 17:15
Can’t be judged
Rivers predicted the Spurs would run their '45 set' much more in Game 2 after abandoning it despite early success.
“And they ran it three or four times early in the game and it was successful and they got away from it. So you're going to see that way more in game two on Friday”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan. (Jun 4, 2026) · Listen from 13:13
Rivers recounted a Spurs players' meeting from his playing days in which Dennis Rodman challenged Gregg Popovich, who was not the head coach.
“And Dennis Rodman, when Pop finishes, Dennis Rodman says, who's listening to you? You're not the coach”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan. (Jun 4, 2026) · Listen from 25:23

Predictions

Can’t be judged
Rivers predicted the Spurs would run their '45 set' much more in Game 2 after abandoning it despite early success.
“And they ran it three or four times early in the game and it was successful and they got away from it. So you're going to see that way more in game two on Friday”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan. (Jun 4, 2026) · Listen from 13:13 · San Antonio Spurs
Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals was played Friday, June 5, and the Knicks beat the Spurs 105-104 after San Antonio came back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter. The recap found doesn't say how often San Antonio ran its '45 set' compared with Game 1, and the search tool ran out before film breakdowns or play-type stats could be checked, so this is unconfirmed rather than unknowable.
Sources: Recap: Knicks win a classic, take commanding 2-0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals
Checked Oct 6, 2026

Episodes

2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 17, 2026 · 1 h 60 min
Bill Simmons and Doc Rivers break down the Knicks' 2026 NBA Finals win over the Spurs, Jalen Brunson's legacy, Mike Brown's coaching, and Giannis trade scenarios.
The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan.
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 4, 2026 · 2 h 5 min
Bill Simmons and Doc Rivers break down the Knicks' Game 1 NBA Finals win over the Spurs, then Simmons answers mailbag questions and discusses Euphoria's finale and TV versus movies with Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan.

Others on San Antonio Spurs

Bill Simmons · 9 quotes
PFT Commenter · 8 quotes
Zach Lowe · 7 quotes
Kirk Goldsberry · 4 quotes
Tim Legler · 3 quotes
Hank Lockwood · 2 quotes
Ben Soffer · 2 quotes
Dan Katz · 2 quotes

Doc Rivers on other topics

2026 NBA Finals · 6 quotes
New York Knicks · 3 quotes
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation · 2 quotes
NBA coaching · 2 quotes
Oklahoma City Thunder · 2 quotes
NBA collective bargaining agreement · 2 quotes
NBA officiating · 1 quote
Los Angeles Clippers · 1 quote