Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo voiced his frustration after the team dropped its second consecutive game Sunday night, losing 115-102 to the Brooklyn Nets.
“Right now, we don’t have an identity,” Antetokounmpo told reporters after the loss, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Like, how are we going to win the game? Are we going to defend for 48 minutes? Are we going to move the ball for 48 minutes? Are we going to attack and play fast for 48 minutes – or 36 minutes and slow down in the last 12? We gotta find an identity. We don’t have that right now.”
The Bucks – who have fallen to 1-2 – have been outscored by double digits in the second half of both of their losses and currently have the eighth-worst defensive rating (115.9) in the Association. Milwaukee’s lone win came on opening night against the Philadelphia 76ers, who were without former MVP Joel Embiid and nine-time All-Star Paul George.
Turnovers have also been an issue in both losses: Milwaukee gave the ball away 14 and 18 times against the Chicago Bulls and Nets, respectively.
“The last two games have been very disappointing,” head coach Doc Rivers said Sunday night. “It’s the third game still. You still gotta keep fighting, but these are games you should win.”
He added: “We’re forced into taking a lot of tough shots, the ball’s not moving and we don’t have enough space. Our execution was poor. That’s all on me. I gotta figure it out.”
Milwaukee will take on the Boston Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back Monday. The defending champions are undefeated with an impressive 16.33 margin of victory through their first three games.
