With the Milwaukee Bucks sinking in the standings and Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors getting more intense with each passing day, this team needs to start winning games. "I think it's a very pivotal time for us. It's sink or swim," Kyle Kuzma told reporters. "We have to treat it like that." He's right, and if the Bucks keep trending downward, everything will change soon.
Simply put, the Bucks need to start playing winning basketball now
Without Giannis this season, the Bucks are 1-7. Obviously, it's difficult for a team to be good without its superstar on the court. However, it's not like they have taken the league by storm when he has been available, either, as they are just 9-8 when he is on the floor. As constructed, the team has many problems; there's no way around that. At 10-15, they don't look like a contender.
If the losses keep piling up while Giannis sits on the sidelines due to his calf strain, it would take one of the most dominant efforts in NBA history if he were to will this team back into contention upon his eventual return. It's more likely that he requests a change of scenery before the NBA Trade Deadline to give himself a chance to contend for a title, leaving the Milwaukee Bucks in the dust.
The Milwaukee Bucks can avoid that scenario by simply winning games. This would be a great time for the supporting cast to step up and give Giannis something to come back and be excited about. That's all far easier said than done, of course. The Greek Freak has largely made up for how poor the team has played, with turnovers, miscommunication, and poor rebounding all haunting them.
For a team that has lost 10 of its last 12 games, things look grim. However, the Bucks cannot accept that as their fate and die. Whether it's through a trade, an overdue coaching change, or everyone just finally flipping the switch, this team needs to do something. The current product isn't getting the job done, and the Giannis trade rumors intensifying only highlight that.
The Bucks are 1-3 in December, with a horrible loss to the Washington Wizards in there, but they do have some hope with their schedule. Per NBA.com, they entered December with the 24th toughest schedule in the league for the month. They've already played two games against the Detroit Pistons, so things should ease up a tad. They have to capitalize or face franchise-altering consequences.
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