Giannis Antetokounmpo says it is up to Rivers to explain his comments
Giannis AntetokounmpoMiami Heat forward, speaking to reporters after a game against the Utah Jazz
Asked about Rivers's reported text apology, Antetokounmpo says Rivers made the comments and should be asked what he meant, and that any clarification is up to Rivers.
Responding to
Giannis Antetokounmpo was difficult to coach and does not necessarily have a high basketball IQ, relying on one way of playing: attacking downhill and forcing the action.
“He made those comments. He had those quotes. You guys gotta go ask him what he meant ... If you feel like he has to clarify, you know, that’s on him. It’s not on me.”
Reporting
Other statements by Giannis Antetokounmpo in this case
Every statement by Giannis Antetokounmpo
Where this statement fits
Doc Rivers questions Giannis Antetokounmpo's basketball IQ on a podcast; Antetokounmpo calls the remarks "crazy" and Rivers apologizes
In an episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast released late on November 5, 2026, U.S. Eastern time, former Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Giannis Antetokounmpo was "not easy" to coach because he plays at a "crazy downhill pace," and that he has "great passing ability" but "doesn't necessarily have the super IQ." Jason Kidd, who also coached Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, said on ESPN that he disagreed with Rivers about Antetokounmpo's IQ, and Skip Bayless said Rivers should have kept his view to himself. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he likes and respects Rivers and that this is the team's business now. After a game in Sacramento on the night of November 8, Pacific time, Antetokounmpo said he was speechless, said reporters should ask Rivers why he said it and told athletes never to let bitterness or pettiness get in front of their goals. On November 9, Rivers told Andscape that he had meant to say "feel for the game," that he had texted Antetokounmpo an apology and that calling him not easy to coach was meant as a compliment.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Sun Sentinel report from Salt Lake City quoting Antetokounmpo after the Heat's win over the Utah Jazz on his wrist, the team's start and Rivers's reported text apology.
Before the quotation
Rivers had told ESPN that he texted Antetokounmpo an apology. Asked whether he received it, Antetokounmpo says he has not looked at his phone and that any text would stay between the two of them.
After the quotation
Antetokounmpo says his conversations with coaches, teammates, family and friends are private and that he never shares them in the media.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Antetokounmpo will not discuss Rivers's reported apology, says any text between them is private and leaves it to Rivers to explain what he meant, so we labeled it Explicitly stayed out.
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Read the full caseCarmelo Anthony questions why Rivers made his Antetokounmpo comments in public
“It's not a shot at him to say there's no finesse to his game ... So, to pinpoint just that part of his game, he's not saying nothing wrong, but it's just why, like, what is the point of saying that?”Read statement
Draymond Green says Rivers's IQ remark about Antetokounmpo comes off as personal
“But I will say I don't think Doc was just trying to shoot at Giannis. ... It definitely came off, you know, again, when you get name-calling ... you say he's not super high IQ and things like that, that comes off as personal. It just does.”Read statement
Rivers apologizes for the distraction and says his remark about Antetokounmpo was more of a compliment
“He makes unbelievable passes, but then at times, because of his force he plays at, it gets in the way of his feel. It was more of a compliment. I hate this and feel bad about it. I apologize for the distraction. I'm not trying to be one.”Read statement
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- Giannis Antetokounmpo says it is up to Rivers to explain his comments
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The Dispute Index. "Giannis Antetokounmpo says it is up to Rivers to explain his comments". First published: 2026-11-14. Last updated: 2026-11-14. https://disputeindex.com/events/8892-asked-about-rivers-s-reported-text-apology-antetokounmpo