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 Mondays 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.
Whats 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 groups mindset.
Ill just say this: Theres a lot of outside noise, thats 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 hes wanting to be here with this group specifically. So, we aint even worried about all the outside noise. Thats my brother and Im sure if it was something he would come to us, but hes with us and were gonna hold it down until hes 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, thats 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 were together, right? And then, most importantly, understanding that we have to get a win. No matter how we get it. If its ugly, if its good, if were knocking down shots, whatever it is, the most important thing was to win.
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