Doc Rivers gets brutally honest about why it was hard to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers recently criticized Giannis Antetokounmpo, stating, "I wish he learned how to execute better," citing the star's struggle to value execution in team play.
- The Miami Heat have struggled early this season with a 3-6 record; The Golden State Warriors defeated Miami 120-100 on Thursday, holding Antetokounmpo to one point in the fourth quarter.
- During the three seasons Rivers coached Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP posted career-high field-goal percentages of 61.1%, 60.1, and 62.4%, suggesting Rivers previously maximized his efficiency.
- Antetokounmpo landed in South Beach this summer after a blockbuster trade ended his standoff with the Bucks, averaging 28.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game despite early struggles.
- Now playing under Erik Spoelstra, Antetokounmpo has a coach Rivers considers highly skilled at execution, and Rivers remains hopeful the star will finally prioritize team play.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Doc Rivers Says Giannis Wasn't 'Easy' to Coach, 'Doesn't Necessarily Have This Super IQ'
After serving as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks for parts of three seasons, Doc Rivers gave his thoughts Friday on what it was like to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Doc Rivers Threw Giannis Antetokounmpo Under The Bus For Failings In Milwaukee In Tell-All Interview
Mar 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) comes out of the game near the end of the second quarter and walks past Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers as they compete against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. In 2024, Doc Rivers was named the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in order to save what was seen as a floundering season, despite a 30-13 start under first-year coach Adrian Griffith. Ra…
Doc Rivers says Giannis Antetokounmpo was hard to coach: 'He doesn’t have a super-high IQ'
Doc Rivers is back in the media after stepping away from coaching. And he’s already spilling the tea on what it was like to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks. And it’s sure to raise some eyebrows. Both Doc and Giannis found individual success. Rivers famously won a title with the Boston Celtics in…
"He's Not Easy": Giannis Antetokounmpo's Former Coach Takes a Shot at His IQ Amid Heat's Rocky Start
The tides seem to turn against Giannis Antetokounmpo amid the Miami Heat’s troubling start. While the big man’s consistent effort on the floor kept him away from criticism, his former coach, Doc Rivers, has put the red spotlight on him for the first time. The 65-year-old believes that physical dominance can sometimes come at the […]
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