Speaking to the media on Friday, the Milwaukee Bucks players opened up on how they’re dealing with isolation during the NBA’s current suspension.
Just like almost everyone else, the Milwaukee Bucks players are currently cooped up at home as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage cities and countries across the globe.
On top of the universal challenges that come with that, the Bucks are dealing with the added difficulty of trying to stay prepared for the resumption of what was shaping up to be a historic season for them.
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Of course, in doing that there’s also the knowledge that they may be trying to stay sharp for a season that might never pick back up.
In speaking to the media on Friday, Milwaukee’s players touched on that topic, along with more generally discussing the challenges of their current predicament, and how it causes problem for them in the most practical sense as basketball players.
To begin with, the Bucks’ All-Star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton revealed they don’t even have a hoop to shoot on at their homes. As Giannis explained to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez:
"“I don’t have access to a hoop,” Bucks star and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said during a conference call on Friday. “A lot of NBA players might have a court in their house or something, I don’t know. But now, I just get home workouts. Try to ride on your bike, treadmill, lift weights; stay sharp that way. But yeah, I don’t play basketball at all.”"
The Bucks remain active in the players’ lives even during this disruption, as meals are supplied for players to limit their need to go outside, and personalized workout regimes are delivered remotely.
"“They’ve been sending workouts pretty much every day through the Bridge app,” Lopez said of the team’s training staff. “Just helping us get our weights done, doing core stuff, conditioning stuff, really doing a good job getting everything taken care of and still having tailored workouts for each individual player.”"
In addition to whatever work they can do to stay in shape and maintain high level conditioning, watching game film has also remained a core part of the players’ routines. As The Athletic’s Eric Nehm highlighted on social media, Brook Lopez delivered the quote of the day in imagining how Coach Mike Budenholzer is continuing to watch film during his own lockdown scenario.
Asked the players if Bud has been sending them film.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 3, 2020
Bledsoe said he's been watching film like normal. Middleton mentioned getting clips from the coaches. Giannis said he's watched some highlights.
Then, Brook Lopez stole the show talking about what he imagines Bud is doing: pic.twitter.com/aIoSXhsPpa
As told by Velazquez, Middleton was logical and retained perspective in talking about the uncertainty of what might come next, and what it would mean for the Bucks if the season wasn’t to resume.
"“I mean, I think you just kind of have to play the hand that we’re dealt,” Middleton said. “The NBA’s going to do the best that they can and make sure to not put anybody at risk. … If we play, we’ll be ready for that. If we don’t, I mean, we’ll definitely be disappointed but I think everybody will understand it’s bigger than basketball at this point.”"
Through all of the uncertainty of the moment, the Bucks remain grounded and focused only on what they can control.