With or without Giannis, Bucks have one big problem

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. take a look at Milwaukee’s defensive struggles and why the team could have even bigger concerns after Giannis Antetokounmpo left Monday’s game with an injury. Check out the full conversation on “The Dunker Spot and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

Video Transcript

I did not anticipate being this annoyed with Milwaukees defense this year as I have been pockets, particularly recently.

My, my thoughts on Milwaukee: I had them as finishing as a top-4 seed this year.

Thought the offense was going to be really good.

They still remain the best half-court offense.

In basketball, per Cleaning the Glass.

And then defensively, Miles Turner and Giannis up frontI thought they’d switch more frequently.

They should be fine.

But there have been so many loud breakdowns for them.

And like with Giannis, in particular, he has been part of more defensive breakdowns than I Would like, and I give grace because he has this ridiculous, offensive role of usage.

In which he has quite literally been the most double-team player in the league this year.

So you get the graces there; hes also been dealing with knee issues, And now he might just be out for a while.

So I just have the general idea: what is Milwaukee about to look like if Giannis misses a shot An extended stretch of time passed by.

The defense is lagging slightly behind.

It’s kind of stressing me out, where if this is two weeks without Giannis, or three weeks Giannis Where will Milwaukee be once he returns?

Well, heres the tricky part about that.

Their next five games, Uh, home against Philadelphia, home against Detroit, home against the Blazers at Miami.

In New York.

Mm.

Could be interesting, which I mean, to that end, like we saw the Bucks without Giannis just get A win over Golden State.

Ryan Rawlings lost his mind.

It’s not like they can’t find the points, and can’t tighten things up defensively.

Because, again, I would be in a different place with the defense if this is.

Oh, snap!

Nobody can keep the ball in front.

This is a problem.

I think there is a very easy pathway to this getting better.

So, like, I’m not pressing the big red button.

It’s just more of an acknowledgment of this Has been more risky than I anticipated.

I, I, I think theyre a team that just needs to be more solid defensively.

Closeouts have to be good.

Keep the ball in front.

Don’t overhelp and just kind of get deep in the clock, and they’re okay.

So, we’ll see what the stretch looks like.

Hopefully, Giannis gets well soon.

With or without Giannis, Bucks have one big problem

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