Antetokounmpo Calls Out Bucks’ ‘Selfish’ Play After Another Lopsided Loss
antetokounmpo-calls-out-bucks-selfish-play
The Milwaukee Bucks dropped their fourth game in five outings on Wednesday, a 119-95 defeat to the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder, pushing Milwaukee to 18-25 and seven games below .500.
While losing to the reigning champions is not unusual, Oklahoma City was without several regulars, and Milwaukee’s average margin of defeat in its last three losses has ballooned to nearly 24 points. After the game, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo questioned the team’s effort and chemistry.
“We’re not playing hard,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “We’re not doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of the right shot for the team.”
Limited Shots for Giannis
With second-leading scorer Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined indefinitely by an oblique strain, Milwaukee had expected Antetokounmpo to shoulder a greater offensive load. Instead, he logged a team-high 19 points on just 11 attempts—well below his season and career norms—out of the Bucks’ 81 total shots.
“I’m not the guy who will yell and cuss his teammate out and demand the ball,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’ve never done that in my career. But I’ve played with teammates who understand the gravity I can cause for our team… Maybe because we’re young, maybe because we’re not playing well, maybe because guys think it’s their turn, they want to carry the team on their back… I really don’t get it.”
Play-In Picture and Trade Chatter
Milwaukee now sits 1.5 games out of the Eastern Conference’s final play-in spot and risks missing the postseason for the first time since 2015-16. With the February 5 trade deadline approaching, rival clubs are monitoring whether the Bucks might consider moving Antetokounmpo, 31, despite his repeated insistence that he does not plan to request a trade and the front office’s stated intention to build around him.
League sources have consistently indicated Milwaukee is looking to buy, not sell, ahead of the deadline, but the franchise’s recent skid leaves its next steps under close scrutiny.
Source: Hoops Rumors
