Doc Rivers didn’t maintain back when discussing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
On an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” this week, Rivers divulged how Antetokounmpo dealt with his ultimate season with the Bucks before an offseason commerce to the Heat, saying the 10-time All-Star needed to go away with out formally requesting a commerce.
“Giannis wanted out, but he was a Buck. And he didn’t want to be the bad guy,” Rivers said. “He wanted [general manager Jon Horst and owner Wes Edens] and those guys to say, ‘We’re trading you,’ instead of him asking for a trade. To me, that was the game that was being played.”
Antetokounmpo was traded to Miami during the offseason in a blockbuster deal that despatched Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and draft capital to Milwaukee, including a number of first-round picks.
Doc Rivers tells Bill Simmons it was so arduous for him to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo during his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks:
“He’s not simple. He performs at this loopy downhill tempo. He’s actually a troublesome man. He has this nice passing potential, but he doesn’t have a super-high…
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) November 6, 2026
Rivers also defined why he discovered it “not easy” to coach Antetokounmpo, whom he was with on the Bucks from 2024 until Rivers resigned earlier this 12 months.
“He’s not easy. He plays at this crazy downhill pace. He’s really a difficult guy,” Rivers said candidly to Simmons. “He has this great passing ability, but he doesn’t have a super-high IQ at the same time. He really has only one way of playing. Every play, he wants to force it. I wish he’d learned how to execute better.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat are just 3-6 to start the 2025-26 season. NBAE via Getty Images
Jason Kidd — who led Antetokounmpo and the Bucks from July 2014 until January 2018 — mentioned Rivers’ feedback on ESPN earlier Friday, and didn’t agree.
“Giannis’ superpower to get downhill and he makes plays,” Kidd said. “Understanding Doc saying that his IQ, I disagree with that. I think Giannis understands how to play the game. His forcefulness getting downhill is what it’s all about. And so when he causes a problem, he’s one of the top five players in the league”
The Heat have struggled to a 3-6 begin despite Antetokounmpo averaging 27.3 factors, 12.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists, although the crew won three of 4 prior to shedding to the Warriors on Thursday evening.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Doc Rivers were collectively with the Milwaukee Bucks from Jan. 2024 through April 2026. Getty Images
Jason Kidd DISAGREES with Doc Rivers on Giannis being troublesome to coach:
“I don’t. I think when you talk about stars — they are hard to coach but they want to be coached. Giannis superpower is to get downhill and he makes plays. Doc saying that it’s his IQ — I disagree with… https://t.co/3Vlbok6tCU pic.twitter.com/eM1f5xaGwE
— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) November 6, 2026
Head coach Erik Spoelstra is still working to combine Antetokounmpo alongside Bam Adebayo following an offseason that considerably reshaped Miami’s roster, although they are arguably the most disappointing crew in the NBA this season.
Through the first 9 video games, Miami is second in tempo but has just the Nineteenth-ranked offense to present for it, and their pace-for-pace’s-sake model of play has contributed to a surprisingly inefficient protection so far, where they rank No. 26 in the NBA.
The Heat return on Sunday against the lowly Kings.
Source hyperlink
