Giannis Antetokounmpo: “We haven’t figured out who we are yet, but there’s no reason to panic yet”

The Bucks defeated the Bulls 118-109 without an upset, unlike Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished the game with 35 points and 11 rebounds. Speaking to the media after the game, the “Greek Freak” admitted that Milwaukee is still looking.

The Bucks star emphasized that the Bucks are still a long way from where they want to be, but isn’t panicking because it’s only 10 games, addressed Ja Crowder’s absence and praised Khris Middleton.

Giannis explained in detail:

Realizing he had to try a little harder in the third and fourth periods as the Bulls got closer: “I was just trying to be energetic and find the right phase. I often had the ball in my hands. They made it difficult for us in the pick-and-roll with double teams. They forgot me a little bit with the weak ones. “On the other hand, I was aggressive and tried to be aggressive for myself and my team, which worked.

For Andre Jackson’s performance: “That game, the last one, the one I got thrown out of — with the Pistons — but with Indiana he brought good energy. He has given us good minutes and we need him to continue to do that. He shot a big three-pointer, a floater, a good screen, some good saves, a good boxout.

He just plays hard, does his best, does his best, does the dirty work, makes big shots and that’s what we need him to do. He has given us good minutes in the last 3-4 games and I hope he has more opportunities to help us. I love his energy.

On Crowder’s absence, what it means for the Bucks and how Beauchamp and Jackson can help fill his void: “Obviously it’s hard for us not to have him. His presence is important. He talks a lot, helps everyone to be in the right place, motivates everyone. He had a great start to the season opening up the field for us and playing well in both defense and attack. We will miss him. We talked a little, I wished him a speedy recovery and that everything goes well. We will miss him, but he will be back in 8 weeks.

It’s important for Beauchamp and Jackson to commit, do what they can and bring energy. We don’t want them to follow in Crowder’s footsteps, we want them to be themselves. That will be enough. They will help the team a lot and I’m glad they get the chance to play on the floor because they work hard. I’m happy for you.”

For the good performance of Portis and what he offers: “Bobby is Bobby. We need him to be aggressive. Play in the post, play hard on defense. I’m happy for him because he made shots today. We need him to open up the place.”

The start of the season was difficult for him, but we’re trying to give him free throws because we need him to open up the court for us. He’s going to do all the hard work, he’s going to get rebounds, he’s going to play in the post, but we need his threes too. The goal he scores from the bench is important. We’re going to need him to continue to do that.”

On whether he feels like he’s slowly figuring out where the Bucks are and what their identity is with the new additions: “I think we’re still trying to find ourselves. Let’s figure out who we want to be defensively and offensively. You can see that too. We weren’t there defensively in Indiana and Orlando, but we were better today. In some games we will have a rhythm and some games we won’t. We try to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

We’re trying to find an identity. The 1st, 5th and 10th games are not the same in my eyes, having been here for 11 years. What I do know is that we have to do better. We’re not even close to what we can do. We need to improve, keep watching VIDEOS, trust our plan and see where we are. Let’s see what works and what doesn’t. Let us know who gets the ball in the end.

For example, in the first period, we know Lillard is aggressive and we need to pace him. When Payne comes in we have to play harder. Little by little we will see what works and what doesn’t. We still have 72 games and the playoffs to go and I hope we are where we want to be at the end of the season.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I think we still haven’t figured out who we really are. But it’s okay, not bad. I don’t think there’s any reason to panic yet. If I had had the same feeling in race #72, I would have panicked a bit. But little by little we will find the solution to how we can play together and win.”

About how Middleton is now the fifth-leading scorer in Bucks history and what it means to him to see the growth of his teammate and friend: “It’s incredible for him when you think about where we started and where we’ve gotten to. It was a great trip. We have been together for 11 years. I don’t think anyone expected us to be where we are now. It’s him.” Now he’s the 5th goalscorer. He makes it to 2nd place. I’m chasing the Bucks’ 3-point record. He’s number 1, right? Maybe I’m number 2.

I’m happy for him, he deserves it. We still have a lot of work to do. I know his career will place him at the top of many categories in Bucks history. I’m happy for him because we’ve been together for 11 years and I hope for many more. This will connect us for the rest of our lives. When we’re done, we’ll see our names up high and remember our journey.”

If he ever thinks back to his first NBA seasons when he sees Beauchamp and Jackson and what advice he would give them: “It is different. When I was 22 years old, like her, I led the team to the playoffs. I know that my thinking is more mature than I am. I remember how important it was to hear from my teammates that I was doing a good job because then I tried to figure out what kind of player I was and play hard.

I remember Larry Sanders and John Henson saying, “Good job, man.” That meant a lot to me. I try to do that with the new players. But neither can lose. With their mentality of working hard when no one is watching them, playing hard whenever they are on the floor and listening to the coach’s instructions, it is only a matter of time before they shine and become the players, who they can be. I’m happy for you.

I certainly remember being a newbie. These two are definitely further along than when I was a rookie. If I had seen myself at 18, I don’t know if I would have been drafted into the NBA the way I played or if I would have been given playing time. But I had the same mentality as them, he wanted me to sacrifice things for the team to win, like those two and the other young guys on the team.”

On the question of whether he believes that the team’s stars should help their coach find the right solutions or whether the opposite is true: “I think the correct answer is that he is the coach and should do what he has to do to help the team. But being 28 years old now and in my 11th season in the NBA, I understand it’s a partnership. If I see something and can make his life easier, then I do it. The coach talks to me, but also to everyone. His door is always open to everyone and he talks about the game, training and everything else. That’s good.

As a coach, he coached 10 games. He tries to find out where our strengths lie on both ends of the floor, but also what each player can do individually. He played against us, but that’s different than seeing us every day. To see what Portis, Middleton and Lopez are good at and to put them in a position so that they can all be as successful as possible.

I feel like he’s done a good job given the demands there and after ten games. We must remain humble and hungry. Let’s go out there and win. I know our coach is getting better every game and so are we. It’s collaboration. It’s not like that on every team, but it’s like that here. Not just between me and the coach, but between everyone.”