After bringing home the Larry O'Brien trophy for the first time since 1971, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have lookedā¦ mortal to start the season. They are 4 ā 6, thanks in part to many key contributors missing time: Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Donte DiVincenzo have all been unavailable to some degrees due to injuries or COVID protocols.
Because of that, the Bucks have looked incredibly shaky, with their defense not being the same grinder that tore through the East last season. Despite their woes, Antetokounmpo is poised and calm, posting this image on Twitter with a simple caption.
ā72 games to get better. šŖš½ā
72 games to get better šŖš¾ pic.twitter.com/c61XaxtAYQ
ā Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) November 8, 2021
Detractors of the Bucks might overreact and rejoice that they've finally proven that Giannis and co. are frauds. However, Antetokounmpo knows that it's a long season, and they have plenty of time to work out the chinks in their armor. Besides, they haven't had their starting lineup play together since the season opener. Of course this Bucks team will struggle without their two lead guys and their defensive anchor.
As for Giannis, the newly-minted Finals MVP hasn't lost the competitive fire even after winning his first crown. During the Bucks' narrow loss to the Washington Wizards, coach Mike Budenholzer told the media that his star player wanted to stay on the court longer while they were short-handed:
āGiannis was in that mindset that he wanted to play a lot. Itās on me to keep him in a good place. I love his spirit tonight.ā
Giannis is having a stellar start to his first title defense season. He's scoring 27.1 points along with 6.1 assists and 10.3 rebounds per game, carrying this depleted Bucks roster. Hopefully, help comes soon for the Bucks, as they'll need all hands on deck to defend their title.
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