Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the first week of training camp after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Even with Antetokounmpo out of the rotation, the Bucks managed to hold their own against the Miami Heat. Coming away with a 103-93 win, the Bucks saw some solid contributions across the board, potentially raising hope for the team to be competitive in the upcoming season.
While the forward has made solid progress with recovery, an update provided by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm suggested that he could miss the entirety of preseason in an effort to recover in time for the Bucks’ season opener against the Washington Wizards.
“Obviously, I think it took a toll on my body,” Antetokounmpo said while speaking with Nehm regarding his recent illness. “I’m not feeling 100 percent yet, physically. Just take it day by day. Get back in shape. I was able to do some 5-on-0, run up and down a little bit. Tomorrow, a little better. I got 18 days until the first game, so I think I’ll be fine.”
In the process of recovery, Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to begin contact drills. This does raise some concerns, as Bucks head coach Doc Rivers also added that it would be some time before the forward begins 5-on-5 drills.
The Bucks would be advised to exercise caution when ramping up Giannis Antetokounmpo’s workload as he continues to recover. With just over two weeks before the season opener, having their star back at full strength will be a priority if they intend to emerge as a contender in the East.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Expects The Bucks To Contend
A significant portion of the Bucks’ offseason was shrouded in uncertainty, as reports of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s desire to play for a contender and win gave rise to speculation about a potential trade. When considering Milwaukee’s summer moves, there was hardly any evidence to suggest that the Bucks would be capable of contending in the East. However, the star continues to have faith in his team.
Even while suffering from illness, the forward mentioned that he was staying up to date with the Bucks’ training.
“I’m not even gonna lie, I was in my bed with my blanket shivering for a couple of days,” Antetokounmpo said. “I wasn’t able to watch their practice and all that, but I watched film today, and I see the potential that this team has.”
The Bucks’ offseason additions feature players such as Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., Amir Coffey, and Cole Anthony. With a blend of solid perimeter shooting and defensive talent, the Bucks continue to build around Antetokounmpo’s playing style.
While this could still yield some positive results, the team is unlikely to contend for the title. With teams like the Knicks and the Magic taking significant strides in improvement, the upper echelon of the East will pose a threat to any contender in the league.
In this regard, Milwaukee may simply lack the talent and depth to contend for the title this season.
