Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to take on the new challenge for the Milwaukee Bucks, as they’re paired with the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs. The Greek Freak is ready to take things to the next level and lead his team to the NBA Finals, but the competition will be extremely hard.
Antetokounmpo knows what his team is capable of doing and he knows they need to be consistent if they want to have a chance to win the East this year. The Bucks finished their participation in the bubble with a 3-5 record, and the reigning NBA MVP isn’t happy about it. Losing is possible, but Giannis didn’t like how the team played at some points.
“It wasn’t frustrating because we were losing. Like, losing is part of basketball, losing is part of the game, but, obviously, what was frustrating because at times I think we wasn’t ourselves,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN’s Eric Woodyard following Saturday’s practice. “We wasn’t moving the ball as much as I wanted to move the ball or as much as [coach Mike Budenholzer] wants us to move the ball. We wasn’t defending as hard. As I said, there was times that we were ourselves, where we were the No. 1 team in the league on defense, but there were times that we showed that and there was times that we didn’t.
“I think the most frustrating part for me was probably the Memphis game, sitting in the hotel and not being able to be out there to help my teammates compete and win a game and losing a lot of money. But, yeah, this is over. This is in the past,” he continued. “Now it’s playoff time. I definitely don’t believe in the turn-on switch that everybody talks about, like we can turn on the switch and be great, but I do believe that if everybody is on the same page and if everyone is focused and get together and watch clips and be on the same page and we know what our game plan is, I believe we can play way, way better.”
The Bucks are seen as the favorites to come out of the East this season, but seeing their level in the bubble, the job could be more difficult for them if they don’t make the right adjustments. Giannis is focused on the championship, but there are five players on the court, he won’t win it alone.
Something needs to change before the start of the playoffs. The Magic aren’t a big threat for the Bucks but they could have bigger problems as they advance through rounds. The Raptors, Celtics and Heat will be waiting to beat this team.
