Carmelo Anthony isn’t buying the idea that Doc Rivers did Giannis Antetokounmpo any favors by saying the quiet part out loud.
On the latest episode of 7 PM In Brooklyn, Anthony responded to Rivers’ comments from Bill Simmons’ podcast, where the Bucks coach said the former two-time MVP has a low basketball IQ and relies on one style of play: driving to the basket.
Carmelo Anthony says it’s no secret Giannis is tough to play with, similar to Westbrook, but no reason for Doc Rivers to make those comments:
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) November 12, 2026
“That is Giannis’ game. It’s relentless. It’s going at you, it’s physical, it’s powerful. It’s not a shot at him to say it’s no finesse… pic.twitter.com/8XDWP2UT13
Anthony pushed back on the criticism of Antetokounmpo’s game, arguing that the lack of finesse people talk about is part of what makes him so effective.
“That is Giannis’ game. It’s relentless.
It’s going at you, it’s physical, it’s powerful. It’s not a shot at him to say it’s no finesse to his game.”
From Anthony’s perspective, the bigger issue wasn’t whether Rivers had a point. It was whether that point needed to be aired publicly at all.
“As a former player, it’s easy for the player to get the blame. No player is going to win the player-coach argument.
He [Doc] isn’t saying nothing wrong, but it’s like, ‘Why? What’s the point of saying that?’”
Anthony also said playing next to Antetokounmpo is difficult, but that’s exactly the kind of challenge that defines him as a player. He pointed to the way Giannis won a championship and said that style is part of the package.
“Yes, it’s very difficult to be out there with Giannis. You have to be a certain type of player to be on the court with Giannis.
That’s not a secret. Giannis is doing what he did when he won a championship.
That’s why we love Giannis. Don’t knock him for why we love him.”
He then drew a parallel to Russell Westbrook, saying fans often embrace a player’s identity until it becomes convenient to turn that same trait into a criticism.
“It’s the same with Russell Westbrook. We love Russ the same way, then when it’s time to not love him, we used that as an excuse. It’s the same with Giannis.”
In Other News...
AJ Greens Bucks Role Is Creating A Problem They Cant Ignore
AJ Greens place in the Bucks rotation has quietly shifted this season, and the change matters more than it might on the surface. Even with his shooting touch still showing up at a high rate, he has been on the floor less often and getting fewer chances to let it fly from deep, a notable development for a player Milwaukee kept around despite a crowded backcourt and the bigger money committed to Gary Trent Jr. over the summer.
The larger issue is what that reduced role could mean down the line. With Taylor Jenkins still sorting through an unsettled rotation, Greens standing has become harder to read, and the Bucks may soon have to decide whether he still fits as part of the long-term mix or whether his shrinking usage is quietly pushing him toward the trade market. [Read more 🡒]
Gary Trent Jr.s Bucks Role Is Becoming Harder To Ignore
Gary Trent Jr.s place in the Bucks early-season rotation has become one of the more notable subplots around the team, especially after his recent contract extension. Through the first stretch of the season, he has logged only 23 minutes, a surprisingly small role for a player Milwaukee clearly valued enough to bring back on a new deal. Head coach Taylor Jenkins has leaned on other options instead, leaving Trent on the outside of the regular rotation for now.
The timing has only added to the scrutiny. With the Bucks already under investigation for potential salary cap circumvention, Trents limited usage has naturally drawn extra attention from outside the locker room. Even without any conclusions attached to that review, the optics around a newly extended player barely seeing the floor are hard to miss, and they leave one of Milwaukees more interesting roster questions hanging in plain sight. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Rotation Squeeze Is Creating A Real Problem For Jakucionis
The Bucks are still searching for answers after tying a franchise-worst start to the season in the loss to the Lakers, and the ripple effects have already reached the back end of the rotation. Taylor Jenkins responded with lineup changes, including moving Jaime Jaquez Jr. to the bench in favor of Nate Ament, and Jaquez has continued to give Milwaukee a steady lift in that reserve role.
Kasparas Jakucionis, meanwhile, has been caught in the squeeze. The rotation adjustments have left him with limited opportunities, and the shooting issues have only made it harder for him to carve out a consistent place in the mix. For a team trying to stabilize itself early, every minute is getting harder to earn. [Read more 🡒]