The Milwaukee Bucks are anything but a well-oiled machine at the moment, and their placement in The Athletic's latest power rankings is proof. Amidst a brutal stretch, Milwaukee comes in at 23rd, sandwiched between the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz. Considering that those are two teams many have said are "tanking," it's a tough pill to swallow for the Bucks.
Bucks are slipping in power rankings, as are their title dreams
In their last six games, all of which have been played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have gone just 1-5. Their lone win, a rousing 15-point victory against the threatening Boston Celtics, felt like it could have been a turning point for this slumping team, but with three straight losses following it, the sweet feeling of rejuvenation was just temporary.
Speaking of those last three games, which have factored into this power ranking, these losses haven't just been defeats; they've been gut punches. The Brooklyn Nets, a team that Kyle Kuzma pointed out is trying to lose, mopped the floor with the Bucks by 45 points. The Toronto Raptors were easily up by double digits. The Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from down 16 to win. Heartbreaking.
Milwaukee's struggles aren't just solely because Giannis Antetokounmpo is out nursing a calf injury. Yes, it would obviously help if he were out there, but the team cannot be 2-10 on the year when he doesn't play. Others have to step up to keep the ship afloat, and they simply haven't. The roster is flawed, and the coaching staff isn't doing much to help. Very little is going right.
Despite the struggles, the Milwaukee Bucks have stuck to their guns. Doc Rivers is still running the show, shockingly. While there has been plenty of chatter, no major trades have gone down, keeping the current struggling roster intact. With Giannis Antetokounmpo's stance on the team up in the air, it's certainly a bold stance to stand pat and hope things get better.
As things stand, the Milwaukee Bucks are now 11-18 on the season. With Giannis' return still likely far in the distance, the team needs to get the wheels turning. If they do not, ranking 23rd in these power rankings might not sound like such a bad thing. Whether it's through a coaching change, trade, or a different avenue, the Bucks need to do something to get back on the right track.
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