Ex-Bucks coach Doc Rivers questions IQ of Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Nov 6, 2026

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Again out of coaching and back in the media realm, Doc Rivers wasted little time reflecting on Giannis Antetokounmpo and what went wrong during their time together with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Speaking on Bill Simmons’ podcast, Rivers, now an NBA analyst, addressed last season’s turmoil in Milwaukee that preceded Antetokounmpo’s offseason trade to the Heat, while also questioning Antetokounmpo’s playing style and fit with the Heat.

“Giannis wanted out, but he was a Buck. And he didn’t want to be the bad guy,” Rivers said on the podcast of the unease within the organization that preceded the Bucks relenting and dealing their 10-time All-Star. “He wanted (management) 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.”

By season’s end, Rivers was on the way out in Milwaukee, with Antetokounmpo being held out in order to help the Bucks’ draft odds, in what had grown into a contentious relationship.

During the podcast, River questioned Antetokounmpo’s leadership.

“Giannis needed to just give himself to the team, not to anyone else,” Rivers said. “I liked Giannis a lot. I liked him more as a dude. He’s interesting. He’s not easy. He’s not easy because he plays at this crazy downhill pace. He’s really a difficult guy.”

That’s when Rivers questioned a playing style that the Heat are attempting to integrate amid their 3-6 start.

“He has this great passing ability, but he doesn’t necessarily have this super IQ at the same time,” Rivers said. “It’s really a strange thing, and he really has one way: downhill, force, force. Every play, he wants to force it.”

Rivers added, “I wish he learned how to execute better. He’s one of those guys … that have never needed to execute because they can do it on their own. But that doesn’t help the team.

“And I told Giannis this, the thing he needs to still learn is the value of execution. How important it is when you’re in practice and shootarounds to lock in on execution.”

Rivers said he expects Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to make it work.

“And now he has a coach who is as good as there is in execution,” Rivers said.

Antetokounmpo was acquired in the deal that had the Heat sending out Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and draft capital.

Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with a wrist issue, did not speak after Thursday night’s loss to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, with the Heat now idle until Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, the fourth stop on the team’s five-game western swing.

Vice Night

The Heat on Friday teased the release of the “Night in Vice City” uniforms they will wear during their Grand Theft Auto VI takeover game against the Bucks at Kaseya Center on Nov. 18.

The Nike X Cactus Jack Swingman uniform will be available for purchase on Nov. 18, with “Cactus Jack” on the uniform tag.

The Heat, in announcing the uniform release, noted “This product is not eligible for discounts or promotional offers.”

According to the Heat: The Heat version will be worn by players on court. The Vice City jersey is on sale to the public. Players will wear version with “HEAT” script across the chest. One time only. Vice City version will be on sale, but not worn on court.

Respects paid

Despite the loss to his former team, Heat guard Klay Thompson said it was a privilege to go up against Stephen Curry during Thursday night’s loss.

Thompson’s 11-point effort against the Warriors included throwing off Curry’s defense with a pump fake before draining one of his two 3-pointers, as well as blocking a Curry attempt.

“That was fun. It was really fun,” Thompson said, with Curry scoring 29 for the Warriors. “You know, Steph is super crafty, still to this day. It felt good to block his shot. He made a great up-and-under on me. He had an incredible night.

“What he’s doing, I might have not appreciated it as much as his teammate because I got to see it every night so it became normal, so to see it as an opponent is incredible.”