Mike Budenholzer was done dirty by the Milwaukee Bucks last April when he returned to the Fiserv Forum as coach of the Phoenix and did not receive any tribute from the team he mentored to a 2021 NBA title. Giannis Antetokounmpo thought they should have done differently.
“I thought they were going to play a video for him, and they didn’t, which was surprising to me,” Antetokounmpo said back then.
“I felt like they should; we were three times No. 1 team in the NBA, two times the No. 4 team in the NBA, won a championship, five times in the playoffs, two times in the Eastern Conference finals, one time in the finals, so a lot of winning games.”
Antetokounmpo got a point and now that they are about to welcome another personnel who was key to that title, head coach Doc Rivers wants them to do their utmost effort to not repeat that mistake. Khris Middleton will grace Fiserv on Wednesday for the first time since being traded to the Washington Wizards on February.
Middleton played the Bucks once last season but it was held at the Capital One Arena.
Doc Rivers joined Giannis Antetokounmpo in emphasizing that the #Bucks need to do a GREAT video tribute to Khris Middleton on Wednesday.
Last year, Antetokounmpo voiced his displeasure that Mike Budenholzer did NOT get a tribute when he returned to Milwaukee for the first time.
— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) October 21, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Giannis Antetokounmpo wants Middleton to cry
To call for an improved treatment of a former player is only right because Middleton is not just any other player for them. He was there since the times when the Bucks were bottom dwellers.
K-Midd rose to the occasion when the Greek Freak is absent. He also hit clutch shots that led to their title, including that one in Game 6 or the title-clinching game against the Suns.
This is why Antetokounmpo is determined to give Middleton warmest welcomes. He wants one that will make the three-time All-Star cry.
“First of all, the most important thing, he should get the warmest welcome ever,” he told reporters. “When he comes here and he sees his tribute video, he should be in tears crying before the game.”
He then emphasized that value Middleton has to the team and to his personal before he was traded.
“I’ve had the opportunity to play against him once in the USA team and once last year. It’s fun. That’s my guy. That’s my brother for life. We’ve done incredible things together. So, I cannot wait to see him tear up on Wednesday.”
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