As bad as they've been this year, the Milwaukee Bucks have shown they can still put up a fight when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the floor. NBA analyst Zach Lowe pointed this out on a new episode of The Zach Lowe Show, saying that while he isn't sold on the Bucks overall, they play like a formidable team when the Greek Freak is in action.
"They're plus 10 with Giannis on the floor. They're a straight up dominant team with Giannis on the floor."
Bucks can still compete as long as they have Giannis
With Giannis being one of the top players in the game, this stat shouldn't be too surprising. He alone makes the Bucks a threat any given night. However, if they truly want to get back to the mountaintop of title contention, he can't do it alone. The supporting cast needs to rise to the occasion, and there may need to be roster changes before the NBA Trade Deadline.
Thankfully, they've looked like a team lately that has been on the rise. While their competition hasn't been premier contenders, the Milwaukee Bucks are 4-1 in their last five, showing signs of growth as they've finally closed out some wins. Now, they enter a tough stretch against a string of contenders, which will be a legitimate test.
A big reason for Milwaukee's recent surge, and why they should have some newfound hope, is that they are finally largely healthy. Taurean Prince won't be back anytime soon, but Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all missed significant time lately, making it hard for this team to get into a groove. Now, they are healthy and finding their stride, led by Giannis' dominance.
The question now is whether the Milwaukee Bucks make some sort of splash to complement Giannis. Rumors are swirling that they are sniffing around the market for help. Are they a move or two away at this point from getting back into the contending picture? Knowing how aggressive they like to be on the trade front, it's likely. With about a month to go before the deadline, this team should be active.
At 16-20, it's been rough for the Milwaukee Bucks for a large chunk of the season, but they've finally started showing signs of life lately. If these numbers from Giannis hold steady, the Bucks' turnaround may be more realistic than many think. The next seven games will be a test of just how far this team can go with Giannis.
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