The Milwaukee Bucks have hit a rough patch in their season. They have lost four consecutive games, dropping their record to 16-12 on the season. They have fallen to No. 3 in the Eastern Conference, getting jumped by the improving Brooklyn Nets.
The loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder was shocking, with losses to the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz coming before it and a loss to the Toronto Raptors following it. Following the 124-113 loss to the Raptors, the locker room was kind of quiet according to newcomer, Bobby Portis.
Some people believe the Bucks are entering panic mode because of their losing streak. Not so fast, according to their MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis acknowledged there were frustrations following their fourth consecutive loss, which is expected. No one should ever become complacent with losing. He is preaching that the team stay focused and remain calm despite the losses.
“I kind of have a feeling that everybody is in a panic mode, which should not be the case,” said Antetokounmpo, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard “We should keep improving, we should keep playing good basketball, we should watch the film, and at the end of the day, we’ve got to go out there and compete. When you come here, nothing can be easy.”
Sure, Milwaukee has their shortcomings. They are struggling at the end of close games and have yet to win a game this season in which they trailed after three quarters. Those are things that they will have to fix, and getting healthy will help that.
Jrue Holiday, the team’s big offseason acquisition, has missed five consecutive games because of the league’s health and safety protocols. It is not shocking to see a team, even of the Bucks’ caliber, struggle without such a key part of their lineup.
“We have to be better. Obviously, one of our best players on the team and playmakers and best defenders on the team is not playing with us,” he said. “Obviously, it’s not an excuse. I’m not a guy that gives excuses. But it’s a big part of who we are, and we need him.”
Jrue Holiday’s presence was missed especially against the Raptors, as Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry had a field day against the Bucks defense. VanVleet went for 33 points, seven assists and four rebounds while Lowry had 18-6-6 despite exiting in the third quarter with a sore left ankle.
That was a disappointing performance for the team, but as Giannis Antetokounmpo points out, they have plenty of time left to right the ship. It is okay to be frustrated.
“At the end of the day, we lost four in a row; we’re not going home,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re still here. It’s not the playoffs. Obviously, it’s frustrating. We want to win, especially a game like this. A big game, guys playing hard.
Milwaukee has a chance to exact some revenge on the Raptors and Thunder later this week, as they face off against both teams again. This is a soft part of the schedule for Milwaukee, presenting a great opportunity for the team to right the ship.
