Giannis Antetokounmpo praised Doc Rivers for holding “high standards” to the Milwaukee Bucks after Monday’s big win over the Denver Nuggets.
The Bucks won 112-95 against the reigning NBA champions, with Giannis finishing with a double-double of 36 points and 18 rebounds.
Milwaukee has won its last two games, following a three-game losing streak, and sits in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 35-19 record heading into Tuesday’s meeting with the Miami Heat.
While Rivers hasn’t had the easiest start at the helm since replacing Adrian Griffin, the Bucks have now held successive opponents to fewer than 100 points for the first time since 2021.
And Giannis thanked the former Philadelphia 76ers coach for setting high standards since his arrival.
“The guys are just on the same page,” Giannis said.
“Coach Doc sets high standards for us. He wants us to defend.
“He doesn’t take lack of effort as an excuse. If you’re down, you have to do your best.”
The defensive organization particularly pleased Rivers.
“Just steady progress,” he said. “Believe in your defense, trust him, clarify to him what we want to do.
“The more we can get our guys to know exactly what we’re doing, they can play at full speed. That’s what we’re trying to do. Simplify, so we can play with fire.”
Added Damian Lillard: “I just think it’s a question of responsibility. When we’re watching film, we’re in meetings, in practice I think Doc and all of our staff do a great job of announcing everything.
“They challenge us in different ways. Our communication, our physicality, our behavior as a group.
“Trying to find our identity. Who do we want to be? Who are we going to look like when we step on the field? And I think we just have a lot of residue because there’s so much conversation around it.”
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Denver ranks fourth in the West.
