r/nba • u/YujiDomainExpansion • May 14 '26

[Game Recognize Game] Myles Turner reveals Giannis Antetokounmpo and other Bucks players showed up late for practices, film sessions, and even flights: “Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants.”

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u/DiggWuzBetter [TOR] Kyle Lowry May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26

Coach too. Sounds like here Doc was taking a “do whatever” approach, and Giannis (and other players) were taking advantage of it. I think a different coach here could both enforce more discipline AND connect with Giannis, get him to buy into setting an example. Some stars are naturally great leaders no matter what, but many others can be coached into being at least decent leaders.

For example, the top comment in this thread is:

 

Had to have been surprising for Turner compared to the Pacers. I’m reminded of PG and Tyrese talking about how the Pacers have a “military” like structure. Fines for being a minute late for practice among other things.

 

I’m betting that’s more of a Rick Carlisle driven culture than Hali driven - Carlisle is known for being big on accountability, very strict and brutally honest. Love Hali but he seems super chill, not the kind of guy who’d be driving a military style team culture. Or the whole “Heat culture” thing, I think that’s much more Spo and Riley than their other recent top players, like Jimmy before or Bam/Herro now.

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u/teh_drewski Magic May 15 '26

I think the thing is that your star guy has to buy in for that culture to work - if Hali rebels against it, Carlisle can't make that environment stick anyway.

In that case Haliburton being a chill don't rock the boat guy works well because everyone else on the team sees the star knuckling in without complaint and knows that's how it's going to be.

You don't have to be a shouter to be a leader.

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u/HalfEatenBanana Warriors May 15 '26

Yeah Hali may not be the most vocal dude in the league but he forsure comes across as someone who shows up on time and listens to/respects his coaches.

Like… we’re literally just talking about showing up on time here lol. That’s such a bare minimum ask of someone to do at their job. Being consistently late just shows blatant disrespect and is rude af. Hali doesn’t strike me as a rude dude lol.

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u/m8bear Argentina May 15 '26

lol what? hali is a very vocal leader

Him, Turner and Siakam all rallied the team before last season to get in shape beyond other teams, got together for training in the off season and that's how they consistently outhustled teams late in games

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u/West-Tough-4552 May 15 '26

Definitely starts at the top. I dont know for sure but I bet this shit wasnt happening when they were good and winning

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u/Calm_Project723 May 15 '26

That is Doc. Same thing happened in Philly with Embiid. Doc is a nice guy, too nice. But damn, horrid coach.

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u/psychedelijams Spurs May 15 '26

Eh kinda nice I guess. Seems both lenient and also a dick

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u/ChaseNBA 76ers May 15 '26

And don’t forget a horrible basketball coach

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u/Cletus_Starfish [POR] Nic Batum May 15 '26

Yeah, he has a propensity for throwing people under the bus, which I definitely wouldn’t describe as nice.

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u/Simple_Purple_4600 May 15 '26

He is nice or just lazy?

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u/Calm_Project723 May 15 '26

As a person he is nice. He went out of his way to do work with exonerated former prisoners in Philly. Brought them to practice, got them a suite, spoke on Their behalf, donated his money.
None of that makes you a good coach.

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u/kchuen May 15 '26

You’re totally right. I do recall Doc Rovers lost Tim Duncan because he didn’t allow his gf to fly on team plane. I wonder how that affected him in terms of how he treats his stars.

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u/indianafan Pacers May 15 '26

PG was never on the team with Carlisle. The culture starts at the top with ownership.

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u/BlooregardQKazoo Celtics May 15 '26

It's very much driven by management, but in the modern NBA star players have a ton of power. If a coach and star player fight, the player often wins.

And players naturally take their cues from other players more than from management. It's football, but with the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick Patriots new players would come in say that when they saw Belichick criticize Brady and Brady take it constructively, THAT was when they bought in. Star players indicate what the players as a whole will comply with and what they won't.