Giannis Fires Back at Doc Rivers: “I’m Speechless”
Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t happy with Doc Rivers’ recent comments. The Greek superstar responds to his former coach but makes it clear that his focus is now on the Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t happy with Doc Rivers’ recent comments. The Greek superstar responds to his former coach but makes it clear that his focus is now on the Miami Heat.
Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t see this coming from Doc Rivers. The former Milwaukee Bucks head coach had openly criticized him during an appearance on Bill Simmons’ podcast, questioning his basketball IQ and ability to play within a structured offensive system.
Those comments eventually reached Giannis, and his reaction made it clear just how surprised he was.
The response came after the Miami Heat’s 114-108 win over the Sacramento Kings, a game in which Antetokounmpo put up 29 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
When reporters brought up Rivers’ remarks, Giannis first asked when they had been made and what exactly his former coach had said. Once he understood the situation, he couldn’t hide his disbelief.
Oh my God. First of all, he’s not my coach anymore. My coach is Spoelstra. Doc is somebody I worked with in the past, but I’m speechless. Did he really say those things today?
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis to Doc Rivers: “Ask Him Why He Feels That Way”
Rivers’ criticism had been pretty blunt. The former Bucks coach described Giannis as a difficult player to coach, someone who relies heavily on his physicality to attack the rim and struggles to consistently execute within an offensive system.
He’s a great passer, but he doesn’t necessarily have a very high basketball IQ. He basically has one way of playing: attacking the rim and constantly forcing things
Doc Rivers
Rather than getting into a technical debate about his game, Giannis chose not to directly address those criticisms, although his response made it clear he wasn’t pleased.
You have his number, right? I know you do. You should ask him why he feels that way. That’s on him, not me. I have to focus on my team, on what I need to do to get better and how I can help my teammates
Giannis Antetokounmpo
But the Greek superstar wasn’t quite finished.
After taking a moment, he added another comment, this time with a much sharper message.
Man, that’s crazy. Never let bitterness and petty stuff get in the way of your goals and dreams. I’m saying that to every athlete out there. It’s unbelievable, but you need to ask him why he said those things. Not me
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis has now delivered his response to Rivers in front of the cameras. And while Doc may still have more to say about their time together in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo doesn’t seem particularly interested in keeping the conversation going.
After all, as he made perfectly clear, his coach is Erik Spoelstra now. And for the moment, Giannis has bigger things to focus on.