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Giannis Antetokounmpo gave his team Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA) a reality check about their ceiling this season. For the past two consecutive seasons, they have not made it past the first round despite the signing of Damian Lillard last year and having the best record the season before that.
What did Giannis Antetokounmpo have to say?
While talking to h/t Buck's reporter, Giannis Antetokounmpo gave his blunt response if he sees the Bucks as a conference finals or finals contender. He said, "Conference Finals? Finals? We gotta get out of the first round first. Let's start there."
Meanwhile, it was Antetokounmpo's health issues that played a major role in Bucks' postseason struggles. He wasn't up to the mark in the first three games against the Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. He sustained injuries in Game 1 and had to miss Games 2 and 3.
But, he made his return in Games 4 and 5 which the Bucks lost. In the 2024 playoffs first-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers, Antetokounmpo was suffering from Achilles injury. Milwaukee Bucks made their last appearance in the conference finals and finals in its 2020-21 season which they had won.
Giannis was available in the 2022 season but the team's then-second option, Khris Middleton had to miss due to a knee issue. Because of Middleton's knee issues, the Bucks crashed out of the conference semi-final clash against the Boston Celtics in seven games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have low expectations for the 2024-25 season
After sustaining first-round losses in the past two seasons, it has reduced Bucks' expectations with the upcoming season despite Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard spearheading their charge.
The Knicks and Celtics have separated themselves in the Eastern Conference with the 76ers right behind them. The Bucks made slight changes to their roster balance and are looking to flourish under coach Doc Rivers. Rivers took charge of the Bucks midway through last year.
Bucks looked solid last year under River once his plans were implemented but Antetokounmpo's Achilles Injury slowed the team once again.
