The Milwaukee Bucks this season have put themselves through the wringer and back. From staff changes, to player injuries, to new players coming to the team, you name it, the Bucks have probably experienced it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sat down with Eric Nehm of The Athletic in an exclusive interview talking about how he’s been adjusting to the changes this season alone.
So many changes for the Milwaukee Bucks
Even though Antetokounmpo is having one of his better individual seasons, the same can’t be said for the team. Giannis voiced frustrations and his thoughts about everything that’s been going on for Milwaukee, saying it’s been a lot of up and down.
“We can start from f– ownership, changed. Coach, changed. Coach, changed again. Star players, changed. From Khris being in and out. Like so much f– s–. It’s just up and down. Up and down. So many things changing, man. But we got to stay together, I don’t like to victimize myself. I don’t like to feel bad about myself. That’s not who I am.”
Antetokounmpo is averaging more than 30 points per game, 6.4 assists, and 11.2 rebounds in 54 games played this season.
When the Bucks hired Adrian Griffin as the new head coach in June of 2023, despite his good qualities, you could tell it was his first time in the head coach position. Antetokounmpo was even one who gave a nod of approval to bring Griffin on.
While the Milwaukee Bucks were able to achieve a 30-13 record under Griffin, things started going downhill real fast. Players would complain of mis-management, how unorganized things seemed, and how they didn’t feel like a cohesive unit on the floor.
“Coach Griff was a great coach, a great person to work with, but, at the end of the day, it was his first time,” Giannis said.
Giannis Takes Leadership
When Griffin was the Bucks’ coach, Giannis felt like he had to take on a new leadership role. It’s nothing he wasn’t used to doing, but felt he had to do it more often with Griffin as the coach since he was so new to head coaching.
“I just had to do it. I had to be more vocal this year,” Antetokounmpo said. “Things (weren’t) the way they were supposed to be, how can I say it? The last couple of years, I’m used to a specific structure of things, a specific culture, there’s a certain way that you have to do things in order to win games, you know?
“And if that level is not being met, as a leader, you have to push that envelope.”
The Milwaukee Bucks hired Doc Rivers in January to replace Griffin, and since Rivers has joined the coaching staff, Milwaukee has only won three games under him. Despite the recent struggles, Giannis is confident that Rivers can turn the team around. Antetokounmpo says Rivers brings “some peace of mind.”
“He’s tough. He’s Doc f– Rivers. He knows his s–. Same thing for Coach Bud. Same with Joe Prunty, J-Kidd…Coach Doc, he’s a great guy, been in the league for a lot of years, won a lot of games. Like you go to bed, you sleep well at night,” Giannis said.
“Win or lose, you know that the coaching staff is going to be prepared, and not just him, from Rex (Kalamian), from Dave Joerger, like come on, man, Joe Prunty, we have guys that are extremely smart and know the game of basketball. So, from that aspect, you don’t have to worry anymore.”
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