The Milwaukee Bucks have now lost seven games in a row, their longest such streak since way back in 2013-14. To put that into perspective, Giannis Antetokounmpo was a rookie on that roster, and the team went 15-67 that year. This current Milwaukee squad is better than that team, but there have been few signs of life lately as they continue dropping winnable games.
With or without Giannis, wins have been scarce lately
The Bucks lost five games without Giannis—they couldn't seal the deal in the game where he went down with his groin injury—and the two games he has played in over their last seven. Losing without a superstar player in the lineup is more understandable, but the fact that they couldn't steal even one of those games is very telling. It paints a poor picture of this team, including the roster and coaches.
Despite their ugly play, this team isn't dead yet. Even with a seven-game losing streak, they are just four games below .500. Of course, the Bucks started last season 2-8 and went on to finish with a 48-34 record to make the NBA Playoffs. This team can get back on the right track, but it's far easier said than done, given what they've put on display this season.
Doc Rivers, whose seat should be scorching hot right now, said it all after Milwaukee dropped a close game to the Knicks in Giannis' return. "It's the turnovers, it's the offensive rebounds, it's the fouls," he told reporters. The Bucks are constantly shooting themselves in the foot with dumbfounding passes, poor effort on the glass, and foolish fouls—though it does feel like they've had a poor whistle all year.
Until they start showing signs of improvement in all of these areas, the Milwaukee Bucks aren't going anywhere in the Eastern Conference. Outside of Giannis and Ryan Rollins, who has had a season for the books so far due to a Most Improved Player-like campaign, no one is living up to expectations for the team, and that includes Rivers. Everyone needs to shake their current slumps.
If they don't, change might be Milwaukee's last resort. Parting with Rivers midseason feels like a long shot after how things went with Adrian Griffin, but the roster itself could be picked apart. On cue, the Bucks have been involved in rumors and could be active as soon as the clock strikes December 15. Major moves might be this team's last hope if things keep going as they have lately.
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