Giannis Antetokounmpo knows the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship aspirations will always begin with him, but he believes a new teammate could swing the balance of the season. His pick for the team’s most important wild card: Cole Anthony.
Speaking recently in Greece, Antetokounmpo said Anthony will be “an X-factor” and “the surprise of the year” for Milwaukee — a bold endorsement for a player still settling into his first days with the Bucks.
Anthony, who arrived this summer after a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies, fills a crucial void in Milwaukee’s backcourt. Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury and subsequent release left the Bucks without their lead guard, and head coach Doc Rivers has hinted at using Antetokounmpo more frequently as a point forward. That shift creates a need for guards who can attack gaps, space the floor, and adapt to an off-ball role — skills Anthony insists he can provide.
“When you have a dude that talented who can do everything, you gotta kind of conform your game and change your game up a little bit,” Anthony said. “For me, I’m never going to stop being myself. My game is never going to change too much, but I gotta adjust.”
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Rivers’ offense often thrives on ball movement and secondary playmaking. For Anthony, who averaged 15.2 points and 4.9 assists as a starter in his career, the chance to toggle between running sets and cutting off Antetokounmpo’s drives could unlock a more efficient version of his game.
“I know his resume,” Anthony said of Antetokounmpo. “I’ve played against him, watched him play, and he’s a one-of-one player. I mean, the opportunity to get to run that little two-man action with him, that’s going to be legendary.”
Milwaukee will need Anthony to adapt quickly in a competitive Eastern Conference. The Bucks face pressure not only from Boston and New York, but also from younger rosters in Orlando and Indiana, both of which surged into the playoff picture last season. Anthony’s ability to provide steady scoring and versatility at the guard spot could be the difference between the Bucks chasing a title and slipping behind the pack.
“Damn, that’s a hell of a compliment,” Anthony said after hearing Antetokounmpo’s remarks. “I appreciate that from my big bro Giannis; shout-out to him.”
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Anthony has already been embraced by his new teammates and reached out to Bobby Portis to learn how to connect with the Milwaukee community. On the court, the stakes are clear. For a Bucks roster that still leans heavily on Antetokounmpo’s brilliance, the bet from their superstar is that Cole Anthony becomes more than a depth piece — he becomes the X-factor.
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