Bucks center Myles Turner criticized the team environment under former coach Doc Rivers, saying on the “Game Recognize Game” podcast with Breanna Stewart that Rivers did not enforce fines and that star Giannis Antetokounmpo often arrived on his own timetable. Turner described frequent lateness and missed meetings as part of a broader breakdown in accountability.
Turner told Stewart that players routinely showed up late to film sessions, missed meetings and were tardy for team travel, which led him to stop trying to be early. He said the pattern extended to flights and treatment sessions and that he adjusted his own habits after seeing no consequences for others.
The comments come after the Bucks announced that Rivers would not return following a 32-50 season that ended a nine-year playoff streak. Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that the organization and Rivers were discussing whether he would shift to an advisory role, and ESPN reported a seasonlong disconnect between Rivers and players that included reports of low-effort practices and an awkward March meeting in which Rivers issued an ultimatum.
Turner, who signed a four-year, $108.9 million contract to join Milwaukee last offseason from the Indiana Pacers, said he had not experienced that level of leniency previously and that he expects a different approach under new leadership. The Bucks hired Taylor Jenkins, a former Memphis Grizzlies coach and one-time Milwaukee assistant, to replace Rivers, and Turner said he will see how the new regime handles discipline.
Turner’s remarks arrive as the franchise assesses its future with Antetokounmpo. League and team sources told Charania that the Bucks are fielding trade calls for the two-time MVP, the report says, and that Antetokounmpo’s stance is that it is time to move on. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said a resolution should be reached before the June 23-24 NBA draft, per the report.
