Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to contend in the Eastern Conference, but that currently seems impossible due to their rather poor start in the 2024-25 season.
They opened their season with a win over a shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers, but have since been on a three-game losing streak, falling to the Chicago Bulls, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Boston Celtics.
After the Bucks’ 115-102 loss to the Nets on Sunday, Antetokounmpo shared his woes about the team’s seeming “lack of identity.”
“Right now, we don’t have an identity,” Antetokounmpo said. “Like, how are we going to win the game? Are we going to defend for 48 minutes? Are we going to move the ball for 48 minutes? Are we going to attack and play fast for 48 minutes—or 36 minutes and slow down in the last 12? We gotta find an identity. We don’t have that right now.”
Antetokounmpo’s remark is seemingly directed at their head coach Doc Rivers, who took Adrian Griffin’s place when he was fired by the organization in late January. Rivers was the Bucks’ informal consultant to Griffin until he was sacked after their 43rd game last season. But since Rivers took over the coaching duties in Milwaukee, the team has been mediocre at best.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shares what needs to improve within the Bucks
After voicing out his frustrations with his team, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo shared what he thinks are aspects that the team needs to improve on.
“We have to be better. It doesn’t matter if it’s Game 1, Game 3, Game 50. We gotta keep coming together as a team,” Giannis said. “Keep on taking care of the ball. Keep on being aggressive. Find ways to play faster. I think we’re too stagnant. We’re playing too slow. Find a way to play faster. In our run lanes, run. Create shots for our shooters.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to shine as the Bucks’ frontrunner despite their struggles. In their four games this far, he’s averaged 28.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, shooting 62% from the field. He had his best individual outing in a losing effort against the Bulls, when he finished with a double-double of 38 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucks still have a lot of work to do if they want to become a contender and reach the playoffs. Once they regain the “identity” Giannis has been wanting to achieve for his team, only then can they say they’re back on track.
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