Giannis Antetokounmpo says he's 'speechless' over criticism from former coach Doc Rivers: 'That's insane'

Miami Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo was "speechless" over criticism from his former Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers made those comments during an appearance on "The Bill Simmons Podcast," which was posted Thursday. During the episode, Rivers said Antetokounmpo wanted to leave the Bucks but wouldn't ask for a trade so he could continue being viewed as the good guy.

Rivers later added that Antetokounmpo "doesn't necessarily have this super IQ" and that he "really has one way: Downhill, force, force."

When asked about those comments Sunday, Antetokounmpo initially said he was "speechless" before trying to brush them aside , per ESPN.

"First of all, he's not my coach," Antetokounmpo told reporters after Miami's 114-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings. "My coach is Coach Spo [Erik Spoelstra], but [Rivers] is a guy — a coach — that I've worked with in the past. I'm speechless." "You got to go ask him why he thought that," Antetokounmpo said. "That's on him, that's not on me. I just got to focus on my team and what I got to do and how I can be better and how can I help the team."

"First of all, he's not my coach," Antetokounmpo told reporters after Miami's 114-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings. "My coach is Coach Spo [Erik Spoelstra], but [Rivers] is a guy — a coach — that I've worked with in the past. I'm speechless."

"You got to go ask him why he thought that," Antetokounmpo said. "That's on him, that's not on me. I just got to focus on my team and what I got to do and how I can be better and how can I help the team."

Later on, however, Antetokounmpo implied Rivers was fueled by "bitterness and pettiness."

"But God, that's crazy. Never let bitterness or pettiness get in front of your goals and dreams. For every athlete out there, never let that — that's insane. But you got to go ask him why he said what he said. Not me."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was also asked about Rivers' comments. The Heat coach declined to feed into them, saying he liked and respected Rivers.

Rivers and Antetokounmpo worked together for two-and-a-half years in Milwaukee. While the team made the playoffs in two of those seasons, it disappointed, falling in the first round in both years.

Antetokounmpo performed extremely well in his first two years under Rivers, averaging 30.4 points per game. The star big man spent a large stretch of last season injured.

The Bucks responded to the down year by jettisoning both men. Rivers stepped down from his role as head coach and Antetokounmpo was traded to the Heat. Rivers opted to return to the broadcast booth for the 2026-27 NBA season. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points and 12.8 rebounds in his first season with the Heat.