The Milwaukee Bucks had a sluggish 2-8 start to the 2024-25 NBA season and was one of the biggest headlines as the new campaign began. Fortunately for the team, they turned things around and have improved their record. The Bucks are now 11-11 but former players are still curious about what went on with the team during their slow start.
On Friday’s episode of “Gil’s Arena,” the topic of the slow start to the Bucks season emerged. Former point guard for the franchise, Brandon Jennings, cited that the team’s energy changed, which helped them improve. However, his co-hosts, Rashad McCants and Gilbert Arenas insisted there could be something else.
“The energy is different, it’s hostile now,” Jennings said. “We’re winning games!”
“Energy is a big thing to basketball. If you don’t have energy, you won’t win. They wasn’t approaching the game the way they are now… You heard the comments from Giannis. They wasn’t. So, obviously something changed, the energy — something changed. The energy changed.”
Jennings reiterated his claim that the team’s improved record was largely due to their renewed enthusiasm and mature approach to the game.
“We’ve been winning, we won the last nine out of ten. It ain’t what we’ve been doing… We started off the year, didn’t — we wasn’t even in sync. Giannis said, his whole quote said, ‘If you don’t wanna be here, then don’t be here.’ He was calling out whoever he was, it was something going on in Milwaukee or something going on with the group. Obviously, that has changed —that has to do with energy and your approach to the game.”
"The energy is different, it's hostile now. We're winning games!"
Rashad and Gil go crazy over Brandon claiming the Bucks have turned it around. pic.twitter.com/SjXKeLk2Pk
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) December 6, 2024
The Milwaukee Bucks are the only club among those that had a sluggish start to the season to bounce back. Fortunately for the Bucks, their Big 3 is complete with Khris Middleton back on the floor. He made his season debut on Friday against the Boston Celtics.
Milwaukee Bucks star reflects on Middleton’s season debut
Khris Middleton missed the first 21 games of the season as he underwent ankle surgeries over the summer. He played 23 minutes after coming off the bench in his first game back. He scored 11 points on 20% shooting from the field, showing signs that he needs time to get used to playing competitive basketball.
Following the game, his All-Star teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke highly of his return to action.
“It felt good, it felt great,” Giannis soid. “Obviously, he’s an experienced player. He just stabilizes the game for us, he’s gonna make good decisions, offensive and defensively. I’m happy that he’s back. I felt like he felt comfortable being back playing heavy minutes, it’s definitely going to be sore tomorrow. But moving forward, it’s just good to have him back. Another decision maker out there with us can make the game a lot easier.”
Their next game is on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. However, the team has not reported on Middleton’s status.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
