Giannis Antetokounmpo says the Milwaukee Bucks have to keep coming together as a team

Giannis says the Bucks must continue grinding through the season’s peaks and valleys.

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There's an eternity of basketball left in the Milwaukee Bucks' regular season, but superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't leaving anything to chance. He emphasized the team's need to "come together as a team" if they are to make strides and succeed this year.

Cohesion is key

The NBA Playoffs are still a long way away. However, the next few months will be crucial for a Bucks squad still learning to play well with several new players. At 15-7, the Bucks rank third in the Eastern Conference, but they're aware of what they need to work on to become the last team standing this season. While defense is undoubtedly a pressing issue, developing chemistry is another one.

"We have to come together as a team," Antetokounmpo said.

"This is Game 22. We have 60 more games. We've got to keep on coming together as a team. We've got to keep on spending time together. We've got to keep watching film together. We have to keep getting on the court together."

Back at it.#SmileWatch x @BubonOrtho pic.twitter.com/Bpq4iqg0hl

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 10, 2023

Practice will be key

The NBA is a fast-paced league. One day, you can be in Toronto to face the Raptors, and the next day, you're off to New York to take on the Kicks. Sessions rarely happen, which means players don't really get much time to work on sets and chemistry, as there's always a next game to be played.

"We haven't had the time to practice. We play every other day. It's hard. It's hard. I'm not going to lie. It's hard to practice in this league," Giannis said.

"It's not like playing overseas. Overseas, you play one game two games a week. You have four days a week you can come back and work on your game plan. You know what you're going to do defensively, how you're going to guard teams, but in the NBA, that's not the case," Giannis continued.

"You practice while you're playing the game. But at the end of the day, in order for us to expedite our chemistry, we have to keep coming … together."

Another double-double for Giannis.

37 PTS | 10 REB | 2 AST | 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/lbOrDoLaLt

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 8, 2023

Giannis implores the Bucks to be more accountable: "You've just got to be a man"