After winning the 2021 title and with Giannis Antetokounmpo as their superstar, the Bucks were poised to replace the Golden State Warriors as the premier NBA team and establish a new dynasty. However, things are easier said than done and since, the Bucks have struggled to regain their title-winning form.
Lingering injuries to key players such as Khris Middleton and losing Giannis during key moments of the playoffs have led to disappointing appearances including first round exits in the past two years.
The Bucks tried to mitigate their fall by acquiring All-Star Damian Lillard in September 2023 to give them a second scoring option to complement Giannis. They even made a coaching change in the middle of 2023-24 season, firing coach Adrian Griffin 43 games in, replacing him with coach Doc Rivers.
Despite all these changes, the Bucks are still in freefall starting with their embarrassing first round playoff exit against the Indiana Pacers. This season, the team sports a 1-4 win-loss record and while it's still early in the season, it may be time to press the emergency switch since they have lost four straight games by double digits including losses against the mediocre Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks have two top 12 players in Giannis and Lillard, but their core issue is everybody else. Beyond the two superstars, nobody else is stepping up and with Middleton indefinitely sidelined, their prospects are bleak.
And then there is the age factor. Brooks Lopez is 36, Giannis turns 30 next month, Middleton is 34, Gary Trent is an infant 25, and Lillard is 34. This means that playing them heavy minutes will lead to more injuries and more recovery time. After their starting unit, there is no depth behind Bobby Portis (29) and Pat Connaughton (31). Being in the second apron and with no first rounder until 2031 due to the Lillard trade, the Bucks are caught between a jagged rock and an impossible place.
Doc Rivers is no Eric Spoelstra and since his 2008 championship with the Celtics, he has not come close. Rivers did not find any success with the Los Angeles Clippers where he notoriously became the first coach in NBA history to have three teams fail to advance from a best-of-seven series after taking 3 games to 1 lead. With Philadelphia, he was unable to lead the team past the second round. In Milwaukee, his record is now 20-27 including the playoffs.
The Bucks face the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers, defending champs Boston Celtics and revamped New York Knicks in the next ten games and this tough schedule will either give them a chance to show they are still a contender or their championship window with this group is closed.
Rumors are already rife that Giannis is close to requesting a trade given the team's dysfunction. In fact, there are reports that he already has preferred destinations (Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets). If Giannis walks, this will be a major blow to the organization since they traded away their future for Lillard including the Jrue Holiday who is now with their rival Celtics who are building a dynasty.
raffyrledesma@yahoo.com
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