Doc Rivers wants a do-over on one word.

The former Milwaukee Bucks coach said Monday that he reached out to Giannis Antetokounmpo to apologize for a remark he made about his old star on a recent podcast. Rivers said he texted Antetokounmpo and that the Miami Heat forward responded positively.

On an episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" posted Thursday, Rivers said Antetokounmpo "doesn't necessarily have this super IQ" for basketball and that he "really has one way: downhill, force, force." Rivers now says he meant to say "feel for the game" and felt bad about the slip.

'It was more of a compliment'

"I was saying he was one of the most interesting guys" Rivers said. "He makes unbelievable passes, but then at times because of his force he plays at it gets in the way of his feel. It was more of a compliment. I hate this and feel bad about it. I apologize for the distraction. I'm not trying to be one."

Rivers, now an NBA analyst for NBC Sports, also called Antetokounmpo "not easy" to coach on the podcast. He said that line was meant to praise his greatness. He added that his kind words about enjoying their time together got lost.

"Whenever you have a great player, you have to fit the team around that great player" Rivers said. "That is the point I was trying to make. It's not always easy."

Giannis was 'speechless'

Antetokounmpo addressed the comments Sunday after Miami's 114-108 win in Sacramento. "First of all, he's not my coach" he said. "My coach is Erik Spoelstra, but he is a guy, a coach, that I've worked with in the past. I'm speechless."

Rivers coached Antetokounmpo for parts of three seasons in Milwaukee before he was let go at the end of last season. In his first year with the Heat, Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points and 12.8 rebounds for a team that has climbed to 4-6.