Former NBA guard Jeff Teague believes Miami Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo needs to change his playing style if the team hopes to overcome its disappointing 0-4 start to the 2026-27 season.
Teague, who played alongside Antetokounmpo during the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 championship run, criticized the two-time MVP on the latest episode of the “Club 520” podcast. His comments came after Miami suffered a 113-109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.
“I thought Giannis was going to have a different attitude, like I'm going here because I want to win so that means I might be a 25, 8, and 8 guy. Not a 35, 8, 8 guy,” Teague said. “I might get all these dudes involved, lock up on defense and the way they play defense is terrible. No disrespect to Erik Spoelstra, he a great coach but their game plans, I'm like, what are y'all doing?”
Teague suggested that Antetokounmpo's ball-dominant approach has made it difficult for certain teammates to establish their roles, particularly traditional point guards.
“They could be decent but Giannis got to change the way he plays,” Teague said. “Like I told y'all, it wasn't fun playing with Giannis. That doesn't mean he's not a great player. He's a phenomenal player, MVP, he's one of the best to ever do it but he's a very tough player to play with.”
Jeff Teague on Miami: “No disrespect to Spoelstra, he a great coach but their game plans, I’m like, what are y’all doing? That’s not what makes you special… It was not fun playing with Giannis. Doesn’t mean he’s not a great player, but he’s a very tough player to play with.”
by
u/luka274 in
nba
The former All-Star specifically identified Jrue Holiday as a guard who successfully complemented Antetokounmpo during their time together in Milwaukee.
“You gotta have a certain type of guy that could fit that role,” Teague added. “Jrue Holiday is the only point guard that I've ever seen have success with him. Jrue Holiday is like swiss army knife, he plays small forward if he really wanted to.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo producing despite Heat's winless start
Teague also questioned whether ball-dominant guards such as Trae Young and Ja Morant could successfully coexist with Antetokounmpo, while pointing to Damian Lillard's tenure in Milwaukee as another example of a challenging fit.
Despite Miami's early struggles, Antetokounmpo has delivered impressive individual performances since joining the organization in the offseason.
Through four games, the 31-year-old is averaging 28.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, five assists and one steal while shooting 55.7% from the field and 30% from 3-point range across 31.8 minutes per contest.
Article Continues BelowAntetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double with the Heat in Monday's loss to Dallas, finishing with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and one block.
He shot 12-for-23 from the field, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc, while converting three of his seven free-throw attempts across 39 minutes.
However, his production has not translated into victories for a Miami team attempting to establish chemistry around its new franchise centerpiece.
Teague's criticism raises questions about how Antetokounmpo can balance his offensive responsibilities with creating opportunities for his teammates. His comments also highlight the adjustments Miami faces as Spoelstra works to integrate the former Defensive Player of the Year into the team's system.
The Heat will look to secure their first victory Wednesday when they visit the Atlanta Hawks (2-2) at 7 p.m. ET.