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'Doc Rivers is out': ESPN's Mike Breen pokes fun at new Bucks coach after leaving network

Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read

ESPN play-by-play man Mike Breen put Glenn "Doc" Rivers on the injury report Wednesday night.

And he's likely going to miss a few years behind the microphone.

Breen took a couple of playful jabs at Rivers — who's leaving ESPN to become the Milwaukee Bucks coach — during the opening segment before the Phoenix Suns-Dallas Mavericks game.

"First order of business is who's available tonight. For Dallas, Kyrie Irving is out. For Phoenix, Eric Gordon is out. For ABC/ESPN, Doc Rivers is out," Breen said.

Breen then joked about Rivers' short time as a co-lead analyst with Doris Burke:

"Our dear friend has decided that life as an NBA broadcaster is way too stressful so he's decided to opt for a less stressful job, an NBA head coach on a team that's trying to win a championship. We thank him for all his many weeks of service and we wish him all the luck in the world."

Burke was more emotional, appearing to choke up at times when bidding farewell to Rivers.

"Selfishly, I'm going to miss him. I'm going to try not to choke up here. Doc just brought unbelievable energy every single day. He was positive. He threw himself into what we were trying to do. But the question is no longer what he can do for you and I, Mike. It's what he can do for a 30-win Bucks team.

"Even through all that success, something felt amiss in Milwaukee, but our friend has got a legit shot to compete in the East and I'm going to try to be happy for you, Doc."

Rivers' sudden departure from ABC and ESPN also sparked speculation on who would replace him.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: ESPN's Breen pokes fun at Doc Rivers after leaving to coach Bucks