Giannis Antetokounmpo calls it ‘disrespectful’ that Bucks benched him in final weeks of season
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo said it was “disrespectful” of Milwaukee to bench him in the final weeks of the season while saying he was healthy enough to play, a stinging rebuke to the franchise as it enters a “stay-or-leave” offseason.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who led Milwaukee to its first title in a half-century in 2021, said after Sunday’s season-ending loss to Philadelphia that he learned he had no control over his player status as the Bucks limped to the finish line.
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Antetokounmpo was the subject of trade speculation as the deadline approached, but was not dealt. He has since had a dispute with team management over his injury status.
The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since landing awkwardly after a dunk on March 15. Antetokounmpo said in the final weeks of the season that he was healthy and wanted to play, but the Bucks continued to sideline him with a left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise.
Antetokounmpo did not play Sunday in Philadelphia in what was also likely the final game of Hall of Fame coach Doc Rivers’ career.
“Being allowed to play, I don’t understand. I’ve never in my life been denied participation in practice,” Antetokounmpo said. “Whoever invented something like this is disrespectful to what I have done for this team and the way I behave.
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“I did what I had to do. I couldn’t get on the field now. Who’s to say? It comes from the top. I thought I was in control. OK, if I’m healthy, I’ll play. This shows me that not just me, the players in general, we have no control. No, I didn’t feel like I was in control.”
Antetokounmpo had participated in the final pre-match warmups, showing no signs of injury.
“It was exhausting for me, for sure,” Antetokounmpo said. “If it was tiring for me, it was definitely tiring for me and the organization.”
Antetokounmpo said he plans to put his phone on “do not disturb” and try to avoid the distractions that plagued the end of his season.
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The Bucks could look to trade Antetokounmpo in the offseason, or he could sign a four-year, $275 million extension in October.
Antetokounmpo said he hasn’t been formally offered the extension yet — no surprise given that it couldn’t be finalized for months.
“This is too far away. It’s something where I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” Antetokounmpo said. “Money means nothing to me. Zero. Absolutely zero. What means anything to me is winning.”
The Bucks put Rivers’ job in jeopardy with a dismal 32-50 season that ended the Bucks’ streak of nine straight playoff berths.
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Rivers said he has a “great relationship” with Antetokounmpo and that he often talks with the superstar about what to work on and what to add to his game.
“I just want to see it end well for him and the franchise. I think they both deserve it,” Rivers said. “Giannis is a great guy. I’ve been lucky enough to coach a lot of stars, and he’s right at the top when it comes to good people. I want good people to be taken care of.”
The Bucks reached the East finals during Antetokounmpo’s first MVP season in 2019, ending an 18-year stretch without a playoff series win. They won the title two years later. But they haven’t won a playoff series since 2022.
“We’re the furthest we’ve been,” Antetokounmpo said. “I didn’t think we’d be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we’ll be in next year.”
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