Giannis Antetokounmpo has now found himself in the same uncomfortable spot plenty of 76ers fans remember all too well: on the receiving end of Doc Rivers’ public commentary.
Rivers, who spent years on Philadelphia’s sideline, recently made a series of remarks about Giannis. He said the two-time MVP wanted to play the good guy during his infamous trade saga with the Bucks, which ended with him being shipped to the Heat during the offseason. Rivers also said the Greek Freak did not necessarily have a "super IQ" when it comes to basketball, and that line quickly made the rounds on social media.
When asked about those comments, Giannis said he was speechless. He pointed out that Rivers is no longer the coach he plays for and suggested people should ask Doc himself why he saw the situation that way.
For Philadelphia, none of this feels new. Rivers’ time with the 76ers was marked by plenty of noise and not much payoff, despite his reputation as one of basketball’s sharpest minds.
One of the clearest examples came after the 76ers’ Game 7 loss to the Hawks a few years ago, when Rivers effectively threw Ben Simmons under the bus by saying he did not know if Simmons could be the point guard for a championship team. That comment helped set the stage for Simmons’ messy standoff and eventual exit.
Rivers also reportedly fell out with James Harden, who was even rumored to have tied his future to whether the veteran coach would be fired. Rivers later said Harden simply clashed with him over basketball philosophy.
The pattern, at least from the outside, was familiar: Rivers rarely seemed to take the blame. Most of his former players have not spoken highly of him, and Giannis is the latest high-profile name to run into that same kind of friction.
The 76ers have seen this movie before. And for Giannis, Doc Rivers appears to be playing the same role again.
In Other News...
Sixers Trade Debate Is Only Getting More Complicated
The Paul George-for-Jaylen Brown swap has only gotten more interesting for Philadelphia as both sides settle into the deal. Brown has quickly become a steady fit for Nick Nurse, giving the 76ers the kind of two-way presence they wanted while posting solid numbers and buying into a role that has meshed with the rest of the roster. For a team still sorting out its long-term identity, that kind of stability matters.
George, meanwhile, has looked right at home in Bostons system. His three-point shooting has ticked up, and he has become an important piece next to Jayson Tatum under Joe Mazzulla, which only adds another layer to the debate around what Philadelphia gave up and what it gained. The trade looked bold when it happened, but now it is starting to feel like one of those moves that will be judged differently depending on which side of the rivalry you ask. [Read more 🡒]
Paul Georges Return Reopens A Sixers Breakup Fans Havent Forgotten
Paul Georges first trip back to Philadelphia came with the kind of extra attention that usually follows a player who left a mark, even if the ending was messy. Now wearing a Celtics uniform, George talked about his time with the Sixers, the way he has settled into Boston, and what he expected from a fan base that has not exactly forgotten how things went when he was here.
Through nine games with Boston, George has been productive enough to remind everyone why his move mattered in the first place, giving the Celtics scoring, playmaking and activity on both ends. For Sixers fans, the return was always going to stir up more than a routine regular-season matchup, because it reopened a breakup that still lingers in the background every time he steps onto the floor in Philadelphia. [Read more 🡒]
Joel Embiid's Slow Start Is Fueling A Bigger 76ers Fear
Joel Embiids opening stretch to the 2026-27 season has been under the microscope from the first week, and not just because the numbers are down. Through nine games, he has averaged 17.9 points per game while shooting 38 percent from the field, a start that has only sharpened the attention on how he looks moving around the floor and finishing around the rim. For a player whose game has long been built on force, touch and the ability to overwhelm defenders, any hint of reduced burst tends to set off alarms quickly in Philadelphia.
Zach Lowe added to the conversation by comparing Embiids reduced athleticism to former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer, a vivid way of framing how much explosiveness some observers think has disappeared. Still, there is a counterpoint inside the fan base: Embiid has often needed time to get his conditioning back and settle in when he is playing alongside multiple All-Star teammates. That leaves the bigger question hanging over the 76ers, because a slow start can be explained, but it can also be the first sign of something more concerning. [Read more 🡒]