Breanna Stewart and Myles Turner co-host the podcast "Game Recognize Game." On a recent episode, Turner revealed behind-the-scenes details about the Milwaukee Bucks' dysfunction last season, calling out former coach Doc Rivers and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Turner Explains Doc Rivers' Lack of Discipline
During a rapid-fire Q&A segment, Stewart asked Turner about teams' fine systems after discussing new Liberty coach Chris DeMarco's $25 penalties for missed free-throw box outs. Turner responded that former Bucks coach Doc Rivers would not issue fines, which caused the team to lose discipline.
"Doc Rivers, he didn't fine anybody, ever. Guys were late all the time, guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up, guys were missing meetings. It was one of the craziest things I've personally ever experienced."
Turner noted that on any other team he's been on, players faced fines for lateness, creating a sense of order. But last year with the Bucks was different: "You're late to the plane? Fine. You're late to treatment? Fine. You're late to film? Fine. But I personally did not experience that last year for the first time in my career."
Turner Names Giannis as Most Late
When asked which teammate was most likely to be late, Turner didn't hesitate: "Giannis is gonna show up whenever he wants really, you know?"
Turner described the extreme laxness: "If the plane took off 2 o'clock, we weren't leaving until 4:30. I'm being so serious bro. It got to the point where I just knew not to show up until like an hour after they said the plane was taking off."
Bucks' On-Court Struggles Explained
The Bucks were a disaster last season. Antetokounmpo played a career-low 36 games due to various ailments, including multiple calf strains. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and finished with the 10th-worst record in the league.
There was clearly a disconnect between the players and Rivers. Players regularly skipped meetings and showed up late to film, never being held accountable. That carelessness naturally filtered into games, as the Bucks ranked 26th in defensive rating (118.3) and 25th in turnover rate (15.4%).
Sign of Antetokounmpo's Possible Departure?
Turner's public criticism of Giannis is notable, as there has hardly been a bad word uttered about the star over his 13-year tenure with the Bucks. It's hard to imagine Turner saying that about someone he'd be playing with again next season, lending credence to the idea that Antetokounmpo could be traded this summer.