The Milwaukee Bucks missed a golden opportunity to secure a win against the Golden State Warriors, who were without their star player, Stephen Curry. Coach Doc Rivers‘ squad struggled offensively, and after a 104-93 loss, Rivers reportedly called an immediate meeting with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Currently sitting in fifth place, the Bucks are far from hitting their stride. The loss to the Warriors marked the team’s fifth defeat in their last seven games, prompting Rivers to meet with the team’s two biggest stars to discuss the situation and plot a way to turn things around.
“With the Bucks struggling recently, and a dispirited loss to the Warriors last night, sources relayed to me that head coach Doc Rivers, after the game, called a meeting with his two superstars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard,” NBA insider Chris Haynes reported. “In this meeting, there was an open forum to provide input on ways to improve the team. It was a constructive discussion with each individual being allowed to share their perspectives“.
The Bucks left much to be desired in their most recent loss at Chase Center, especially on the offensive end. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points on 5-of-16 shooting, while Damian Lillard recorded 16 points, hitting 6-of-18 shots and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
What was even more alarming was that Milwaukee failed to score a single point in the final four minutes of the game, raising concerns for the team as they eye the upcoming playoffs.
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Antetokounmpo sends clear message to his teammates
The Greek star made it clear after the game that he feels the responsibility of carrying the team, especially in crucial moments. He expressed that it sometimes feels like only he and Lillard are playing aggressively, while others are slower to adapt.
“We just gotta be more clear with what we’re trying to accomplish. I feel like at times it’s just me and Dame (Lillard) trying to be aggressive, and everybody plays through that,” Giannis told reporters postgame. “I feel the last couple of games, dug in the fourth quarter, we kind of like try to be too unselfish instead of trying to go downhill and make something happen”.
“As a team, we just gotta play free,” he continued. “Gotta play free, it’s gotta be like a joy within the game. And stop thinking about negative stuff. Me personally, I just gotta be aggressive. I gotta be aggressive, I gotta (be) like ‘F what everybody’s talking about,‘ and just kinda go downhill and be myself, and enjoy the game again. That’s pretty much it”.
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Kyle Kuzma reflects on offensive struggles
There’s no question the Bucks struggled offensively in their defeat to the Warriors, but the most troubling part was their inability to score during the final minutes of the game. Kyle Kuzma weighed in on the team’s struggles, noting that they couldn’t execute their usual offense.
“Well, we went to something that we were really, really comfortable with,” Kuzma said after the game. “Playing that spread, playing with Giannis up, pick and roll, putting weaker defenders, whether it was Buddy [Hield] or somebody else, and we just didn’t connect”.
“We missed a couple bunnies. He missed a couple bunnies. Dame missed a couple bunnies, shots that they typically always make, so you just gotta live with it,” he added.
