Giannis Antetokounmpo Begs Bucks to Play Defense: ‘We Gotta Guard People’

Milwaukee fell to 5–4 on Saturday after giving up 65 points in the first half.

The Bucks have consistently ranked among the team’s top defenses in the last several years thanks to its myriad of defensive stars, starting with Giannis Antetokounmpo. But Milwaukee has looked nothing like it has in years past on that side of the ball and Antetokounmpo implored his team to step up after its latest loss Saturday against the Magic. 

Orlando snapped a 14-game losing streak to Milwaukee on Saturday in a 112–97 win where the team led by as many as 21 points. After the upset, Antetokounmpo addressed his team’s uncharacteristic defensive woes. 

“I think the individual pride is there,” Antetokounmpo said Saturday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The team defense is not there. We’re not helping each other as much as we should. The gaps are so—I feel like the gaps are like wide open. I feel like guys feel comfortable to be able to come down, attack, go downhill, get an angle, make a play for themselves or for their teammate. Like, I wish we were being guarded that way.”

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) posts up against Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half at Amway Center :: Matt Pendleton/USA TODAY Sports

The Magic scored 65 points in the first half and an unfortunate trend appears to be taking shape for the Bucks (5–4), who have allowed over 100 points in every game this season. 

“We have to take it up a notch,” Antetokounmpo continued. “This is not who we are. This is not the Milwaukee Bucks. We gotta guard people. Sixty-five points is too much. And it starts with me. It stars with the leader of the team. I gotta be better. But again, it’s not one person can do it alone. Defensively, we gotta show more.”