Myles Turner Says Discipline Lapsed Under Doc Rivers in Milwaukee
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Milwaukee, May 15, 2026 — Bucks center Myles Turner says last season’s locker room lacked structure because former head coach Doc Rivers refused to penalize players for tardiness.
Speaking with New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart on the “Game Recognize Game” podcast, Turner described an environment in which fines were never issued and schedules were routinely ignored. “Guys were late all the time,” he said. “Guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up. Guys were missing meetings.”
Turner singled out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as the player most likely to arrive late. “Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants, really,” Turner told Stewart, adding that once he realized there were no repercussions, he followed suit. “They ain’t going to fine you,” he said. “Do what you do.”
The 6-foot-11 center, who joined Milwaukee on a four-year, $108.9 million deal after eight seasons with Indiana, said the lack of discipline even affected team travel. “Guys were an hour late to the plane,” Turner recalled. “It got to the point where I knew not to show up until an hour after they said the plane was taking off.”
Milwaukee dismissed Rivers on April 13 after a 32-50 finish that ended the franchise’s nine-year playoff streak. ESPN previously reported a season-long disconnect between Rivers and the roster, including low-effort practices and a March team meeting in which the coach issued an “either you’re with us or against us” ultimatum. According to sources, the organization later discussed moving Rivers into an advisory role.
The Bucks have since hired former Memphis Grizzlies coach — and ex-Milwaukee assistant — Taylor Jenkins to lead the team. Turner said he is waiting to see whether Jenkins reinstates a system of fines. “Any other team I’ve been on, guys got fined,” he noted. “So we’ll see what Taylor Jenkins does, our new coach.”
The franchise is also weighing the future of Antetokounmpo, who led Milwaukee to the 2021 NBA championship. League and team sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania this week that the Bucks are open to trade inquiries, while Antetokounmpo has indicated he believes it is time to leave Milwaukee. Co-owner Jimmy Haslam has said he hopes to resolve the situation before the June 23-24 NBA draft.
Source: ESPN
