Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Says He Loves Playing For Doc Rivers

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo told NBA reporter Michael Lee of The Washington Post that he loves playing for Doc Rivers. 

The Bucks improved to 5-7 under Rivers after beating the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday (2/25). 

“I love him,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s been incredible playing for him. He just explains to me what he wants from me. You respect him because he’s been 25 years in the league. The transition has been very, very hard. This is my fourth coach in [nine] months. … But I love how the things are going so far.”

The Bucks are 37-21 on the season. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

“I love what I do. I love coaching. I love this job. I love this,” Rivers said. “I’ve been lucky enough to keep putting myself in positions to try. I wouldn’t have taken this job if there wasn’t an opportunity, knowing that, all the pressure would come with that, you jump right back in because it’s why you do it.”

Rivers was booed by Sixers fans during pregame introductions. The veteran coach went 154-82 with Philadelphia in the regular season but never led the team past the second round of the playoffs. 

“I love winning, and I want to win,” Rivers said. “I just think the longer you are in this and the more chances you have, that’s a good thing. Whether you come up or not, you just got to keep pounding away at it.”

Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 12 games under Rivers. The eight-time All-Star is averaging 30.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks overall on the season. 

The Bucks are second in the NBA in points per game and 24th in points per game allowed. It will be interesting to see how far Milwaukee goes in the 2024 playoffs.