Antetokounmpo addressed Rivers' criticism Sunday, three days after the interview was published.
"First of all, he's not my coach," Antetokounmpo told reporters after Miami's 114-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings. "My coach is Coach Spo [Erik Spoelstra], but [Rivers] is a guy -- a coach -- that I've worked with in the past. I'm speechless."
After a brief exchange with reporters about the timing of Rivers' comments, Antetokounmpo elaborated.
"You got to go ask him why he thought that," Antetokounmpo said. "That's on him, that's not on me. I just got to focus on my team and what I got to do and how I can be better and how can I help the team.
"But God, that's crazy. Never let bitterness or pettiness get in front of your goals and dreams. For every athlete out there, never let that -- that's insane. But you got to go ask him why he said what he said. Not me."
