The Milwaukee Bucks tipped off their season without their biggest star on media day. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tested positive for COVID, remained in Greece and joined the session remotely through Zoom.
“I’m just waiting for a negative test, so I can leave my house and get on a plane and travel,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t want to put anybody at risk. I’m definitely disappointed — bummed out that I’m not able to be there with the team and get this ball rolling. As a leader, I don’t feel good about this, but at the end of the day, this is life.”
Bucks general manager Jon Horst confirmed Antetokounmpo is expected to be away “for a bit” as training camp begins. The 30-year-old two-time MVP will return to a team that looks very different from recent seasons. Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard this summer following his Achilles injury, then made a surprise splash by signing center Myles Turner away from Indiana. Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton also moved on, while Kyle Kuzma, Cole Anthony and Gary Harris are among the new faces.
“This team is built to maximize Giannis, but also Giannis can maximize this team,” Horst said.
Despite the overhaul, Antetokounmpo said he’s optimistic.
“I believe in my teammates — that’s pretty much it,” he said. “I believe in the people that are around me. I believe in my teammates. I believe in the moves that they make. We’re young. You know, hopefully we can get on the same page and understand what’s at risk right now.”
The Bucks have been knocked out in the first round three years running, something Antetokounmpo doesn’t want repeated. “We’ve just got to put our butts down, put our heads down and stay locked in the whole year long and try to win some games and hopefully get into the playoffs, and then don’t get eliminated in the first round. That’s pretty much it, and then we go from there.”