In a revealing episode of their podcast "Game Recognize Game," New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner pulled back the curtain on some serious locker room dysfunction from last season—and the finger is pointing squarely at former Bucks coach Doc Rivers and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
During a rapid-fire segment, Stewart mentioned new Liberty coach Chris DeMarco's $25 fines for missed free-throw box outs and asked Turner about NBA player fines in general. What came next was a candid bombshell about the Bucks' lack of discipline under Rivers, who was replaced by Taylor Jenkins this offseason.
"Doc Rivers, he didn't fine anybody, ever," Turner said. "Guys were late all the time, guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up, guys were missing meetings. It was one of the craziest things I've personally ever experienced."
Turner contrasted that with his other NBA stops, where fines created structure and accountability—penalties for being late to the plane, treatment, or film sessions. "But I personally did not experience that last year for the first time in my career," he added. "So we'll see what Taylor Jenkins does."
When Stewart pressed for the most likely late teammate, Turner didn't hesitate: Giannis Antetokounmpo. "If the plane took off at 2 o'clock, we weren't leaving until 4:30," Turner explained. "Guys were hours late to the plane. It got to the point where I just knew not to show up until like an hour after they said the plane was taking off."
Turner described a culture where the two-time MVP operated on his own schedule—and everyone else adjusted accordingly. "Once I saw what was going down, I was like, 'Hey man, more power to you. They ain't gonna fine you. Do what you do.'"
For a team with championship aspirations, the lack of accountability is a stark reminder that even the most talented rosters need structure. As the Bucks turn the page with Jenkins at the helm, fans will be watching closely to see if a new fine system brings the order Turner craves—and maybe even a few on-time arrivals.
