Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks look to reverse the negative streak
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not used to defeats. In his return to the court, despite recording 30 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists in 28 minutes, the Bucks fell to the New York Knicks by 118-109, adding their seventh consecutive loss. This is the Bucks’ worst streak since March 2014, Antetokounmpo’s rookie year, when the team had a 15-67 record. After the game, the player made a passionate call for his team to regain their “competitive spirit” and turn the season around.Antetokounmpo emphasized the need for changes so that Milwaukee (8-12), currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and two games away from the play-in spots, can get back on the winning track. The player also mentioned that some teammates get frustrated after missing shots, which affects the rest of the game.Nobody should have a personal agenda. Nobody should worry about what they want for themselves. You just have to worry about the winning mentality. The more we can win games, the more everything will take care of itself.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of ball movement, looking for open three-pointers, and creating space on the court. His return came after a groin injury, playing with a minute restriction that may have influenced the defeat. The team needs to improve offensive rebounding, avoid fouls, and turnovers. These issues led to Milwaukee taking 13 fewer shots and 8 fewer free throws than New York (12-6) on Friday.You can’t worry about a shot or two that you miss, that take four seconds of the game to dictate 47 minutes, 56 seconds of the game. We have to get back to that mentality. We have to get into the mentality that we have to compete. We have to get into the mentality that this is not a one-man show, that we have to do it together.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will play against the Brooklyn Nets in the second game of a back-to-back series on Saturday. The player felt good on Friday night and expects to increase his playing time against the Nets. Antetokounmpo stated that he expects to play more minutes and help the team win.We’re outshooting teams… but it’s turnovers, offensive rebounds, and fouls. It’s a numbers game, and we have to win that game. Especially with Giannis [on the court], if we win [the numbers game], we’re going to win the game.
Doc Rivers, Bucks coach
