Here’s a possible version of what Doc Rivers might have said to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard during their recent private meeting following the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss to the Golden State Warriors on March 18, 2025. This is my creative interpretation based on the context of the Bucks’ struggles, their offensive woes, and the reported nature of the meeting. Just to be clear I have absolutely no inside knowledge or first hand information about the meeting.
“Alright, fellas, thanks for sitting down with me. Look, we’re not playing like the team I know we can be. I’m not here to point fingers; I’m here to figure this out with you two, because you’re the heart of this squad. I know I will be fired if we don’t do well in the playoffs, it’s the nature of the league. But let’s at least agree how we will go about it. We have said a lot of things over this time together and we have half assed tried a few things.
Dame you probably feel the same, everyone has been blaming you from the day you came to the Bucks, no surprise. So how do you want to play it? The rest of the season means nothing. I suggest you take some time off and make sure you have no injuries bothering you. I mean nothing at all, not even a little finger twist. First round is probably the Pacers, if you are both playing top of your game we got them.
Giannis, you’re playing at an MVP level, no question—30 points, 12 boards, 6 assists a night. Dame, you’re giving us 25 and 7, shooting lights-out when you get your looks. But something’s off, and it’s not just on you, it’s on all of us, me included. Our offence is stalling out late in games. The ball’s not moving, the spacing’s a mess, and we’re not attacking the way we should. I’ve seen it, you’ve seen it, we talk about it in the tape room all the time and we’ve got to fix it. Giannis I have been sugar coating it too long for you, I will just keep you out in clutch. Your free throws are a liability and you just kill ball flow. Either get in line and play as the team wants to play or sit on the bench in the fourth quarter. I mean it. I have nothing to lose anymore, don’t care what anybody says. If you want me fired do it now, but this is what will happen if you don’t. Sure I will get you in the game if I can, depends on the match ups. But when you are looking lost or they are shutting you down I won’t put up with your 4th quarter shit anymore. Not in the playoffs. If it bruises your ego not to be on the court in the final minutes I no longer care.
Giannis, when you’re driving downhill or setting screens, are you getting the support you need? No, you are not. Why? Because you are not looking, you are not getting everybody involved. Dame, when you’re running the show, are we putting you in spots to close games out? We’ve got two of the best in the world right here, and I need us to be on the same page. Tell me who you want where now. I will get rid of anyone you don’t like and tell them to do whatever you think they need to do, but tell me now clearly. Not in the huddle. If we get to the second round things will be tougher. Maybe Brunson will be injured or something. We make it to the Conference Finals and make it look like we were legit out there and our jobs are safe. Otherwise me and Dame are getting fired and Giannis I guess you will have to look around the league for your future.
Tell me what’s working, what’s not, and how we get this thing rolling again. Screw the regular season. Doesn’t matter if we drop a few spots, no difference now. If you need time off, take time off, I will cover you with excuses. If you want to try some other roster combination we try it now, I don’t care, got nothing to lose at this point. I’m sorry I didn’t do this earlier but I didn’t want to lay the pressure on you two.
End of the day though it is what it is. And it’s looking dangerously close to total shit show if you two don’t start winning games. Yes you two. Not talking about the other kids on the team. You are it.
So if you disagree tell me now. I can quit. No shame in that for me. I prefer it to going into the playoffs again with everyone saying it’s my fault with a team that doesn’t even do what I ask it to. I don’t want to be some bitter old man who has signed an NDA and can’t even tell the media how none of you did anything I asked you to. Giannis I love you man but no more bullshit with you grabbing the boards and drawing up plays. You want that, I walk. No hard feelings and I swear I will be rooting for you guys to win. But I truly believe that if we have one chance in hell to get to the Conference Finals and not all look like fools this season is if you do exactly what I say, when I say it, exactly as I draw it out.
Are you in?”
