Things haven’t gone well for the Milwaukee Bucks over the past few games. The team is just 1-4 since Jan. 11 and has lost those four contests by an average of nearly 19 points per game. Frustration is starting to seep in.
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo said as much following Wednesday’s 122-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Antetokounmpo, who scored 19 points in the loss, blamed the team’s current stretch on a myriad of things Wednesday, including poor effort and selfish play, per ESPN.
“We’re not playing hard,” Antetokounmpo said. “We aren’t doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.
“At times, I feel like when we’re down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it’s not going to work.”
That’s quite the laundry list of issues, though Antetokounmpo thinks he has one potential fix that could turn things around. Following the game, Antetokounmpo said he isn’t being given as many opportunities from teammates.
“I’m not the guy that will yell and cuss his teammate out and demand the ball,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’ve never done that in my career. But I feel like I’ve played with teammates that kind of understand the gravity that I can cause for our team, in how I can create for teammates and for myself, and how I can help the team be more successful.
“But maybe for some reason, I don’t understand — maybe because we’re young, maybe because we’re not playing well, maybe because guys think it’s their turn, they want to carry the team on their back and try to turn this around — but I really don’t get it. I really don’t.”
While that could come off as a selfish statement, Antetokounmpo has seen limited field-goal attempts over the team’s last four games, reaching a high of just 13 during that stretch. Last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 19.7 field-goal attempts per contest. That figure is down to 16.5 this season.
That could partially explain why the Bucks are 18-25 halfway through the season. With the team struggling more than usual, there’s an argument to be made Antetokounmpo should get the ball more. If anyone can singlehandedly lead the team back into games, it’s Antetokounmpo.
Some of the Bucks’ struggles this season were expected. Following numerous trades and signings over the past few years, the Bucks entered last offseason with less talent than usual, and fewer resources at their disposal. That led to rumors about Antetokounmpo’s future with the team. He’s remained committed to the team, but Wednesday’s comments show he’s clearly frustrated with the way things are going.
The Bucks still have a few weeks to bring in more talent. With the trade deadline fast approaching, Milwaukee could try and add another contributor to help Antetokounmpo. Based on Antetokounmpo’s comments Wednesday, the team may need to do something significant at the deadline, because the current situation doesn’t seem to be working for its star player.
