Doc Rivers announced that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss one to two weeks with a groin strain, but it could force the team to grow in unexpected ways. When commenting on the injury immediately after the Bucks’ loss to the Cavaliers, Rivers remarked that they will “find someone or find something to run that will pay dividends later.” Giannis’ injury isn’t ideal, but it could turn out to be a good thing if the Bucks grow from it.
The Bucks have a unique opportunity
Rivers knows that he faces a difficult coaching challenge at the moment, but one that can help the Bucks in the long run. The coaching staff will need to find creative ways to unlock the full potential of the remaining healthy Bucks. If they can find ways to succeed without Giannis, that will give them an advantage even when Giannis returns.
So far this season, Giannis is not only the team’s leading scorer but also the leading playmaker. Without him, the Bucks will need to find replacements for both roles. Fortunately, they have established a good foundation to support elite slashers by putting shooting all over the floor.
Giannis‘s injury emphasizes the Bucks’ lack of another creator, but it was already a problem even when he was playing. The Bucks regularly get blown out in the minutes when Giannis is off the court due to their lack of offensive firepower. His absence for a few games can give other players more opportunities and confidence to run the offense when he needs a break.
Many other teams around the NBA are finding themselves in a similar position with the grueling workload of the modern NBA. But the teams that can step up without their stars are the ones who usually have the most regular-season success.
Consider the Detroit Pistons, who are first in the Eastern Conference and currently on an 11-game win streak. During that streak, they have won multiple games without their All-NBA guard, Cade Cunningham, and had many players step up off the bench with unexpected contributions.
If the Bucks can experience a similar stretch without Giannis, they will be perfectly set up for the rest of the 82-game regular season. It’ll also give them more flexibility for the playoffs when defenses load up on Giannis and dare other players to beat them. If those other players can get an early taste of high defensive pressure, they will be more ready when the moment matters most.
Doc Rivers knows the upcoming stretch of games could be one of the most important of the season for the Bucks. It’ll have a big impact on the standings in a tight Eastern Conference and even bigger implications for the Bucks' offensive hierarchy.