It’s March 2025, and the Bucks have gone from playoff contendors to a monumental bottle job. They’ve lost 5 of their last 7 games, the most recent one being a 104-93 to the Curry-less Warriors. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring the 3rd most points on the floor (20 after Kuzma’s 22 and Butler’s 24), the Bucks faltered. They’re at risk of falling out of the automatic playoff qualification positions. While others speculate a multitude of reasons, Giannis believes it’s his naivety that’s caused back-to-back losses.
After Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced a much needed rest for star guard Steph Curry, it was the the perfect opportunity for Doc Rivers to turn fortunes around. But Jimmy Butler took it upon himself to redeem their Nuggets woes and turned up with a 24-point double-double. Giannis was close behind with a 20-9-7 performance, but it wasn’t enough to get it over the line. The Greek made sure to clarify what the problem was in the postgame sound.
“You gotta play free, you gotta play, there’s gotta be like a joy within the game and stop thinking about like negative stuff. Me personally, I just gotta be aggressive. I gotta be aggressive, I gotta be aggressive. I gotta like f what everybody’s talking about and just gotta go downhill and be myself and enjoy the game again,” said Antetokounmpo. It’s atypical of Giannis of all people to be meek on the floor. He’s not called the Greek Freak for nothing.
Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) pauses before the start of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
But it’s a bit naive from Giannis to think that it’s his lack of aggression alone that has cost them so far. Doc had already admitted to his bias to let the Greek do what he wants when he called him a ‘forgotten guy’ and acknowledge that he does ‘different stuff’. This and more continues the growing concern of the Bucks becoming a one-man team. He’s had it easier since Damian Lillard came in for sure, and their partnership has been thriving. But he admits the unusual plays of him and Dame costing them dearly against the Warriors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sheds light on Damian Lillard’s ‘uncharacteristic’ plays
I’m 99% sure all of Milwaukee thought that Damian Lillard coming to the Fiserv would mean the Bucks winning their third ring in double quick time. All Giannis needed someone who could support him like a rock. The Bucks no. 0 is averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 boards while shooting nearly 45% from the field at the age of 34. But we didn’t see the same Dame partner with the Greek last night at the Chase Center.
“But it was just for me and Damian to connect more. Try to figure out a way for Damian to get downhill with the kind of stay in front of him. Then I’m rolling full speed to the basket and if somebody’s in front of me then I’m going to pass to the corner or cause a baseline cut and get a wide open layup. We didn’t execute as well on the stretch and that position, not only that position, we did a lot of uncharacteristic stuff, but that position, not executing as hard as possible, it kind of cost us,” said Giannis in the same postgame sound.
Lillard has talked about how perfect their partnership is, and how their playstyle compliments each other in a recent interview. “Knowing that he can go make it happen, he can make a play, he can score, and we can be comfortable with that. So I think for me that’s been my biggest joy in that. Being able to play off the ball and not be on the ball so much. So I might definitely think that’s gonna be a weapon for us, especially in the playoffs where I don’t have to handle the ball so much.” If it’s what they say it is, they gotta work on it as soon as possible.
Mar 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shown with his eye swollen after being injured earlier in the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The next time we see this combo will be against the Lakers on March 20th. The Bucks won their previous meeting last week with aplomb. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard came up big in that game too. Do you predict a similar outcome at the Crypto.com Arena?
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