TNT Crew & Shaquille O’Neal Drop Hot Takes as Rumors Surface of NBA Millionaire Ditching ESPN Gig for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The dominos keep falling. What began with a minor trade between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets is now turning into full-scale pandemonium. After news broke that Adrian Griffin, head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, had been relieved of his duties, the question was who next?

Given the rumors swirling, the firing wasn’t fully out of the blue. However, who could handle a Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo lineup was a big task. With an answer that Shaquille O’Neal saw coming, how did the big man react to the big news?

Doc Rivers, fired last year after a disappointing playoff exit with the Philadelphia 76ers, is the answer for Milwaukee, as per unconfirmed reports. “He does have experience with dealing with large-name individuals, superstars – Dame Lillard and Giannis. And he does have experience with a defensive-minded coach,” Shaq opined.

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But, according to the Los Angeles Lakers legend, that needs to come from the players. “You have to want to play defense. You have to want to get timely stops. And when you have a one-two punch on a team, you rely on the coach a little bit, not a lot.”

For Rivers, however, it could be a big opportunity. Straight from the commentary team for ESPN to coaching from the sidelines. “It gives him a chance to, you know, get another one. Cuz for so long, he’s been surviving of that one championship. So, I would like to see him get another one.” 

But, for Shaq, the success of the team could boil down to just one key difference.

The pressure, and what could make the Doc experiment work, according to Shaquille O’Neal

Respect. That one word could drive this new core to success. “At least Doc will get a little more respect. Has a Championship, been around the league, knows how to deal with those types of guys…If you’re Giannis, would you listen to him? If you’re Dame Lillard, would you listen to him?” 

But, the adjustment period could turn out to be the difficult part of it. Jamal Crawford, subbing in for Charles Barkley, was quick to point out how incorporating another voice would take time. “Like the first couple of days…The honeymoon period is going to end in a week or two. And then, reality sets in. So, that part of it. You want them to adjust to Dame coming in. Now you gotta adjust to Dame and Doc.” 

With a new roster, and a new coach, the future of Cream City is certainly uncertain. But, with Championship pedigree, can they figure this thing out?

Read More: Hours After Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Got Him Fired, Adrian Griffin Still Hopeful of Bucks Return