Amid widespread commerce hypothesis, Giannis Antetokounmpo bemoaned the “selfish” play of his Milwaukee Bucks following one other blowout loss.
Antetokounmpo pointed to chemistry points after Wednesday evening’s 122-102 defeat by the reigning champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The loss was Milwaukee’s fourth within the final 5 video games, with three of these defeats coming by double-figures.
“We’re not playing hard,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “We aren’t doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish. Guys are trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.”
Antetokounmpo has been important of the Bucks’ effort up to now — together with after a November 2024 loss to the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard — however this week’s feedback took on additional consideration contemplating the uncertainty across the two-time NBA MVP’s future.
Earlier Wednesday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that groups all through the league anticipate Antetokounmpo and the Bucks to interrupt up ultimately.
“Teams do believe this is gonna be a divorce,” Windhorst mentioned on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown.”
“I know what Giannis is on the record as saying. I know what Doc [Rivers] is on the record as saying. The Bucks, to my knowledge, are still not taking phone calls on Giannis. They’re only making outgoing calls. Having said that, I can just tell you that the teams are just poised, thinking that this could end up being a separation at some point.”
The NBA commerce deadline is Feb. 5.
Again in October, ESPN reported Antetokounmpo had eyed the Knicks as a potential vacation spot, and that the Knicks and Bucks mentioned what a commerce may appear to be.
Knicks proprietor James Dolan has since mentioned he was unaware of any offseason commerce talks involving Antetokounmpo, telling WFAN a little bit over two weeks in the past, “I don’t see us making a big change” and that “this group can win a championship.”
In December, ESPN reported Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have been discussing whether or not it made sense for the 31-year-old ahead to proceed his profession some other place.
However earlier this month, Antetokounmpo mentioned he “will never” request a commerce from Milwaukee.
“My plan is to be here for the rest of my career,” Antetokounmpo instructed The Athletic on the time. “If they don’t want me … I’m not the one in charge. I am an employee.”
Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 factors, 9.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per recreation this season, however the Bucks are simply 18-25 and outdoors of the Japanese Convention’s playoff area.
Since profitable the NBA Finals in 2021, the Bucks have gained just one playoff sequence. They’ve been eradicated within the first spherical of the postseason in every of the previous three years.
