Giannis Antetokounmpo has troubling quote about Bucks’ start

October 28, 2024

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks

Apr 3, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets ready to play the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks’ season got off to a fairly encouraging start with a road win over the Philadelphia 76ers, but the team has followed it up with a pair of poor performances. Those showings have Giannis Antetokounmpo sounding the alarm about the team just three games into the season.

The Bucks are 1-2 after losses to the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, prompting Antetokounmpo to voice some concerns. After Sunday’s 115-102 defeat in Brooklyn, Antetokounmpo said the Bucks still lack an identity, and have not yet figured out how they want to go about winning games.

“Got to find ways, how to win the game. Right now, we don’t have an identity, how are we going to win the game?” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “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, slow down the last 12? We’ve gotta find an identity. We don’t have that right now. The Philly game, we were good. The last two games, we have to find that, find ourselves.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Right now, we don’t have an identity, 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? We’ve gotta find an identity. We don’t have that right now.” pic.twitter.com/TzQ33WoSxQ

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) October 28, 2024

Obviously, the Bucks are not the only team finding their footing this early in the NBA season. However, a lack of identity and urgency have been things he has harped on in the past. So has head coach Doc Rivers going all the way back to last season. The fact that it still seems to be a problem is a bit concerning.

Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have carried their share of the load so far this season, but the team has yet to find a reliable third option on offense and have been poor defensively. Khris Middleton has yet to play this season, and the team might be hoping he helps with both problems.