The Milwaukee Bucks walked into this week sitting at 9 and 13, riding a four-game losing streak and drowning in speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future. But inside the locker room, players and coaches insist none of the outside noise is shaking them, even as rumors swirl following reports that Antetokounmpo and his agent were set to meet with team management.
The tension peaked after Monday’s loss to a struggling Wizards team, but the Bucks responded with their best win of the season, stunning the top-seeded Pistons without their superstar. Antetokounmpo exited that game with a calf strain just two minutes in and is expected to miss two to four weeks.
“What’s so crazy is Giannis is the first person texting in the team group message, ‘Good job, fellas, way to get one,’” Bobby Portis said, via the Associated Press.
Inside the locker room, the message is the same, no panic. Kevin Porter Jr. summed up the group’s mindset.
“I’ll just say this: There’s a lot of outside noise, that’s just what comes with it,” Porter said in a quote shared by Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “And Giannis does a great job of assuring (us) that he’s wanting to be here with this group specifically. So, we ain’t even worried about all the outside noise. That’s my brother and I’m sure if it was something he would come to us, but he’s with us and we’re gonna hold it down until he’s ready.”
Before any trade chatter gained steam, the Bucks held a players-only meeting to confront their early-season struggles. Portis explained the tone of that conversation to The Athletic.
“Just trying to keep guys’ minds right, keep guys together, that’s a big thing in the league,” Portis said. “Obviously, everybody wants to get paid, everybody has different motives, whatever it is. Just making sure that we’re together, right? And then, most importantly, understanding that we have to get a win. No matter how we get it. If it’s ugly, if it’s good, if we’re knocking down shots, whatever it is, the most important thing was to win.”
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