Doc Rivers teased that people will be seeing a lot of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the point guard position in the coming season. This is following the departure of Damian Lillard who has been waived to make room for new players.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Dwight Howard
Jan 15, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball from the floor past Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bucks 111-98.Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
This is no news to Bucks fans as Antetokounmpo already assumed the role as a point forward in 2016 when they were still being coached by Jason Kidd.
“Giannis gets a rebound and he brings it [down the court] and then he makes a pass. And that’s when the light bulb went off in my head, ‘I think he can be a point guard,'” Kidd said during an appearance at the “Giannis: The Marvelous Journey” documentary.
As for Giannis, his passing game is regarded as among the most underrated passers in the league. Even Paul George and Tyrese Haliburton thought he is really good in such part of the game.
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Mar 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Greek Freak displayed that skill in the latter part of the 2024-25 regular season when he recorded double digit assists in five of their last six games while waiting for Lillard to return.
In Game 5 against the Pacers, he recorded 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Doc Rivers’ hint on Giannis Antetokounmpo as the PG
Rivers has been to the other end of the court when he played against the two-time MVP and the Bucks as coach of the other team.
Still, it seems to new to him that playmaking is one of the strengths of his superstar.
“The first Phoenix [Suns] game was the first game Dame missed with a blood clot,” Rivers said during an appearance at the SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Doc Rivers
Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
“I decided to play Giannis at point guard position. He’s not a point guard. There were guards on the floor but he brought the ball up and it changed us. It made us more dynamic. The toughest to guard in the league had the ball, coming up on the floor. Giannis has become a terrific passer. He love it.”
Rivers then shared that it was the Greek Freak who volunteered to embrace that role more, even talking to him right after they were eliminated that he work out that part of his game this summer.
The coach was initially reluctant and said told him that “just do the big guy.”
Rivers eventually gave in that’s what they are doing now in preparation for the 2025-26 season. He even thinks Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green will benefit from this new style big time.
“When you put shooting around that, that’s where the Gary Trents and AJ Greens. . . And I think both of those guys will have a breakout year for us,” he said during a Summer League game broadcast.
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