Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers offered a detailed critique of Giannis Antetokounmpo, questioning his basketball IQ, offensive fit, defensive effectiveness and leadership.
Speaking with Bill Simmons, Rivers described the two-time MVP as difficult to coach because of his playing style and tendency to force plays.
“He’s not easy. He plays at this crazy downhill pace. He’s really a difficult guy,” Rivers said.
“He has this great passing ability, but he doesn’t have super IQ at the same time. He really has one way. Every play he wants to force it.”
Rivers believes Antetokounmpo must improve his attention to detail and execution, particularly during practices and shootarounds.
“I wished he learned how to execute better. The thing he needs to still learn is the value of execution. How important it is when you’re in practice and shoot around to lock in on execution,” Rivers said.
He also pointed to the challenge of building an offense around a player who is an elite scorer but not a consistent perimeter threat.
“You have to learn how to play with Giannis. It’s unusual you have a player who’s not a great shooter, but great scorer. The spacing has to always be right,” Rivers explained.
“You feel like you’re in the way as a player with Giannis. He also feels like you’re in the way.”
Rivers said Antetokounmpo is more effective without the ball and identified a potential solution through his role as a roller.
“I felt this in Milwaukee, Giannis with the ball in his hands too much is not as good. I think Giannis when he doesn’t have the ball is always hard,” he said.
“I love him as a roller but he doesn’t love rolling. The games they won [in finals] was when Jrue or Middleton had the ball.”
Rivers also questioned Antetokounmpo’s current defensive impact, saying opponents have started targeting him in switches.
“He’s not the defender he used to be. I noticed teams were trying to get him to switch onto them. Weak side he’s fantastic, but you can attack him on the ball. I think that’s what teams are doing now.”
The former Bucks coach also addressed the importance of Antetokounmpo taking greater responsibility as a leader in Miami. Rivers believes the decision not to bring Giannis’ brothers to the Heat could encourage that development.
“I think it’s great for him. I felt that way in Milwaukee. I think if you’re the best player, you got to give yourself to the team. You gotta sit with your team, talk with your team,” Rivers said.
He added that having his brothers around previously made it easier for Antetokounmpo to avoid that responsibility.
“When they had Jrue, Brook, and Middleton, they had a lot of leaders. Having your brother around was fine. Once those guys left, Giannis needed to give himself to the team and not anyone else.”
Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists through nine games with Miami this season. He is shooting 56.0% from the field, while the Heat have opened the campaign with a 3-6 record.
