“That’s Not on Me”: Giannis Antetokounmpo Sends Fiery Response to Doc Rivers

When Doc Rivers left the Milwaukee bench in April, Giannis Antetokounmpo called the news "a shock to me" and praised him as a Hall of Famer. Seven months later, the two-time MVP is not being as generous.

After Sunday's game against the Kings, Giannis finally answered Rivers' public criticism, and he did not hide his frustration.

"First of all, he's not my coach. My coach is Erik Spoelstra," Giannis said. "I'm speechless. You gotta go ask him why he felt that. That's on him, that's not on me."

He then explained where his attention is. "I gotta focus on my team and what I gotta do," he said, before adding a shot at the timing: "Never let bitterness or pettiness get in front of your goals and dreams."

The remarks were in response to Rivers' appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, where he described the difficulty of coaching Giannis. Rivers said Giannis plays at "this crazy downhill pace," that he is "really a difficult guy," and that he does not have a super-high IQ. He also said he "liked him more as a dude," a line that has been quoted heavily since the interview aired.

The criticism landed at an awkward moment for Miami. The Heat started 4-6, and Spoelstra has been trying to integrate a new star whose game is built on speed and downhill drives.

Giannis' response is also notable because of how he handled it. He did not argue with Rivers' description of his game. He declined to engage with it at all, repeatedly telling reporters to ask Rivers why he said it.

When asked about Rivers' remarks, the Heat coach did not criticize him. "Look, I like Doc and I respect him," Spoelstra said. "This is our business now." In Spoelstra's telling, it is a Miami matter, and Giannis' response seems to follow the same approach.

Several former coaches and analysts have already weighed in. Jason Kidd, who coached Giannis from 2014 to 2018, said he disagrees with the IQ claim, and Stephen A. Smith warned Rivers that he should watch what he says.

There is also a longer history between the two. Rivers coached Giannis for parts of three seasons, from 2023 to 2026. In March of last year, Giannis publicly disagreed with Rivers' explanation for a loss to the Timberwolves, a sign that the relationship was not always smooth even when both were in Milwaukee.

Giannis' answer is also consistent with how he handled the Nick Young remarks and other recent criticism. Instead of firing back, he points to his team and his work.

Against the Kings, that was on display again: the same game in which he was asked about Rivers also included a shot from Sacramento coach Doug Christie, who dismissed Giannis' mid-range game. Spoelstra defended him, calling him "a very good shooter" with a tremendous work ethic.

For the Heat, the bigger question is not what Rivers said but whether the team can turn its early struggles around. The offense has a star who draws attention, and the defense has slipped, which is where Spoelstra says his focus is. Giannis has now made it clear that he is on the same page.

The exchange is likely to continue in the media, but Giannis has said what he wants to say. His message was short and direct: the criticism is not his to answer, and the season in front of him matters more.