Giannis Antetokounmpo says the Bucks are still trying to figure out what works on defense

Giannis bares the team is still feeling things out on the defensive end of the floor.

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks’ struggles on defense have been evident this season, and it was never clearer on Monday when Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas carved them up for 45 big points. However, the Bucks’ defense delivered when it mattered most, with Giannis Antetokounmpo rising up to the occasion with some crucial blocks and rebounds in a 129-125 win.

Defensive adjustments

Part of the Bucks’ defensive struggles stem from the changes implemented by new coach Adrian Griffin. Whereas Milwaukee previously asked prolific defensive big man Brook Lopez to drop deep on screens, thereby protecting the basket, Griffin has asked him to stay higher on the court. This has opened up opportunities for teams to find creases in the defense and has led to some ugly showings from the Bucks.

Giannis insisted that all these are part of the process of trying to find what works.

“We’re just trying to figure out what works, and we’ve got to be good at everything,” Giannis said. “I think we are very good in drop when Brook’s on the floor. We are really good when we play small, we can switch. We can make guys just play one-on-one and take tough shots.”

A former Defensive Player of the Year award winner, Giannis showed his rim-protecting ability late versus the Nets when he denied Thomas’ reverse layup attempt. It was a play that drew plenty of praise from Griffin.

“I mean, he’s phenomenal. He’s a winner. Those are winning plays,” Griffin said. “He’s willing to do whatever it takes for us to win as a team.”

The Giannis clutch block pic.twitter.com/PtCtt0tBy5

— imbetta (@imbetta1) November 7, 2023

Trying things

It’s early in the season, and Giannis says the coaching staff is still crafting schemes that work best for the personnel they have on the floor. With defensive wiz Jrue Holiday and rugged guard Grayson Allen being replaced by two players not known for their defense in Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley, the Bucks have to be more creative.

“There’s a lot of things that we can do that we (weren’t) doing last year. So there’s going to be times that it’s going to work, and there’s going to be times when it’s not going to work, but it doesn’t hurt to try. And right now, we’re trying things, and eventually, we are going to figure out what we are really good at, and we are going to do it, and we’re going to know the situation that we have to do things too.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo believes the Milwaukee Bucks can be better defensively