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On the latest episode of 7 PM In Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony weighed in on Doc Rivers’ comments about coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers was a guest on Bill Simmons’ podcast and alleged that the former two-time MVP has a low basketball IQ and plays only one style: driving to the basket.
Anthony defended Giannis Antetokounmpo’s style of play, saying the lack of finesse that’s been mentioned isn’t a shot at him.
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“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.”
He said that as a former player he understands why players take the blame, and while Doc Rivers didn’t say anything wrong, he questioned why it needed to be said.
“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 acknowledged that it’s hard to play alongside Antetokounmpo, but he said that’s what makes him who he is.
“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.”
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He compared the situation to Russell Westbrook, saying fans embrace a player’s style until it’s convenient to criticize it.
“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.”
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