The Milwaukee Bucks are evidently not taking any chances amid their poor start to the 2024-25 season.
The Bucks on Monday visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for an Eastern Conference clash at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The mind games began well before the opening tip.
The Cavaliers have a digital billboard inside the visitor’s locker room. As a small gesture of gratitude, Cleveland’s arena staff has made it a habit to use the billboard to welcome back former Cavaliers players and coaches. Bucks forward Taurean Prince and coaches Dave Joerger, Greg Buckner, and Joe Prunty all used to work for the Cavaliers organization.
The Bucks decided to cover up the billboard with a towel, likely in an attempt to keep the team’s guard up against the Cavaliers.
This is the rotating billboard outside the visitor’s locker room. #Cavs always welcome back former players and coaches. The Bucks, apparently, did not want their players and coaches — Taurean Prince, Dave Joerger, Greg Buckner & Joe Prunty – to feel welcome in Cleveland tonight. pic.twitter.com/MKNoVAkKiT
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) November 4, 2024
The move didn’t really go over well with some fans on X.
How petty
— Brant Starkey (@brantstarkey) November 4, 2024
That’s a weird thing to do
— CLEOH-IO88 (@livinyourdream5) November 4, 2024
What is the point in doing this lol
— Cavs4life (@Cavs4l1fe) November 4, 2024
Despite taking even the smallest of precautions, the Bucks still lost the game 116-114. Milwaukee dropped to 1-6, while Cleveland improved their record to an NBA-best 8-0.
After winning their first game of the season, the Bucks entered Monday on a five-game losing streak. Their previous loss also came against the same Cavaliers in a similar 114-113 nail-biter.
The pressure has clearly been mounting on the Bucks, who have committed to an aging core in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez. It probably has not helped that Giannis has been vocal about the team’s struggles of late.
Reports have since emerged about Antetokounmpo’s potential landing spots should he ask for a trade.
