Giannis Antetokounmpo responds to Bucks’ turbulent season and ‘draining’ coaching woes

Change can be good, but it also can be exhausting.

Just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Milwaukee Bucks star said during a press conference at Saturday’s All-Star Weekend that it has been hard to adjust to all the coaching changes the team has made in recent months.

“It’s hard. It’s hard. This is my fourth coach in the span of six months. Coach (Mike Budenholzer), coach (Adrian Griffin), (interim) coach Joe (Prunty) and Doc (Rivers). Different philosophy, different game plan. It’s hard. It’s draining,” Antetokounmpo, according to the Athletic.

After Milwaukee’s first-round playoff exit in May, head coach Mike Budenholzer was replaced by Adrian Griffin.

Antetokounmpo was reportedly involved in Griffin’s hiring, but noted that his relationship with the players seemed to fray midway through the season.

Griffin was fired midseason after leading the Bucks to an impressive 30-13 record, the second best in the NBA at the time. His tenure is tied for the third-shortest of all time for full time coaches.

“I’m a student of the game,” Antetokounmpo said. “When somebody asks me to do something, I try to do it to the best of my ability. I try to understand what we’re trying to accomplish, both so I can understand and so I can be there for my teammates when they ask questions.”

Rivers, who led the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008, took over for Griffin 43 games into the season.

Since Rivers’ start in late January, the Bucks have gone 3-7 and have dropped from second to third in the Eastern Conference standings.

Despite the rough start under Rivers, Antetokounmpo said he is confident the veteran coach Rivers can turn things around for the Bucks.

“I love working with Coach Doc. He’s been very, very successful,” Antetokounmpo said. “We can talk all day about things he’s accomplished around the league. He’s won, I think, 1,100 NBA games. Some people have never played 1,100 games.

“He brings that level of — how can I say — a championship level to the team. He won. He’s coached a lot of successful teams in the past. When you have that guy in your bench, you have to bring your A game.”

The eight-time All-Star then shared what he felt the team needs to do to finish the season strong in a deep playoff run.

“I say, we have to get healthy. That can’t be an excuse,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s been, uh, 56 games. That’s a lot of meetings we got to take care of our (bodies).”