Home Basketball ‘There Was No Pride’: Giannis Antetokounmpo Rips Bucks’ Defense vs. Rockets

‘There Was No Pride’: Giannis Antetokounmpo Rips Bucks’ Defense vs. Rockets

Basketball — 01/08/2024

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a hard 112-108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday to cap off a short three-game road trip. Although the Bucks’ outcome against the now-18-16 Rockets was far from what they had hoped for, their failure to play up to their own high expectations on Saturday night ensured that they would undoubtedly lose.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is obviously not happy about anything.

Milwaukee Bucks Are Called Out by Giannis Antetokounmpo

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The Bucks’ second-lowest point total of the season came from their 108 points versus Houston. But Antetokounmpo did not choose to focus on this matter following the game. The seven-time All-Star claims that his team’s defense, or rather, its lack of it, was the reason behind their defeat against Houston:

According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo stated, “Offense is going to be there some nights, and, some nights, it’s not going to be there.” However, you must make an attempt to defend. Furthermore, our defense effort was lacking. No pride was present. Guys were only moving the ball in a straight line, entering the paint, providing excessive assistance, making 3-pointers, and pulling down offensive rebounds. Nothing was present. It wasn’t the Milwaukee Bucks this time. We are not like this.

There Was Simply Not Enough for the Bucks

USATSI 22239963 scaledJan. 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA: In the third quarter at Toyota Center, Milwaukee Bucks forward MarJon Beauchamp (3) guards the ball while Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) tries to control it. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Troy TaorminaThe Bucks’ poor performance on both ends of the court is evident in the fact that they let the Rockets score 63 points in the first half and take a commanding 20-point lead into halftime. Giannis and company attempted to create a comeback in the second half, but in the end, their efforts were unsuccessful.”We were better in the second half,” Antetokounmpo remarked.

 “We improved in the third quarter. We were better in the fourth quarter. Both of our quarters were victories. Yes, we participated in the competition. We make things difficult for them, pre-switch, front the post, put our hands in the ball, and get any rebound we can. We made it difficult. We are just that.That’s not what we did in the first half. And, dude, it’s not good. We’re not playing the kind of basketball we usually play, particularly when it comes to defense. We must improve. We need to improve if we are to prevail. We can’t depend solely on our offense to score 130 or 140 points each and every game. That is not how it will operate. That is not how it will operate.
USATSI 22239764 scaledMilwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) attempts to block a shot by Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

He’s not wrong.

The Bucks are back in action on Monday against the Utah Jazz, which will be an opportunity for them to get back to the defensive identity Giannis has been calling for.