Do you know what disappointment looks like? Losing a game by a mere three points. That’s something the Milwaukee Bucks can explain the best right now. It was the home arena- the Fiserv Forum all set for the home boys, to take over the Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, the ops barged in and won 105-102. Sad. It was clear that the Bucks were lacking in places. Thus, Damian Lillard didn’t hold back, calling out the cracks in their game with brutal honesty. And, even the head coach couldn’t mask his frustration.

After the disheartening loss to Portland, Lillard spoke to the media in the Bucks locker room. He couldn’t hide his disappointment with his team’s performance. Of course, after having a major bounce back following the initial slump in the season, winning the NBA Cup, and doing fairly well has raised expectations. Damian Lillard shared: “Last game we were down 20 with 8 minutes left or something and we ended up with a chance to win the game. So if we can have a stretch like that means, if we can just be 80% of what we were in that last eight minutes we should be winning these games.”

Playing against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the Bucks were almost at the finishing line, and at some point it looked like they could win the game. But maybe their setback of climbing the way through the 20 points became a hurdle. However, given the kind of potential the team has for a comeback, wins are a must. Thus, Damian Lillard further said: “We have, like I said lapses, and then tonight we had a lead in the first half. We kind of had control of the game. Then in the third, they jump out and have like a nine or 10-point lead.”

“Now we gotta fight fight fight fight,” the 34-year-old veteran guard added. “You get in the dog fight now they believe, you know, they having a way in moments and you end up in the game like this. So, I think that’s just kind of been a pattern that we’ve had in these games. It’s just, you know, not good enough discipline. Not good enough sustaining our focus.” 

Well, Damian Lillard is upset with how the team has been performing in the last couple of games. Despite being the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee has a lot to work on. Especially with executing their plans on the court. And, you might think that HC, Doc Rivers is being lenient with his boys. But, no. He isn’t. Thus when asked about it, the legendary coach couldn’t hold his discontent.

Doc Rivers is equally unhappy with the team, just like Damian Lillard

What is the situation in the Milwaukee Bucks locker room? Are the boys being told where they’re doing it wrong or as Doc Rivers had once said (verbatim): “Grown men don’t need to hear a whole lot from me.” Well, it’s time for the head coach to start telling the boys (“grown men”), what’s going off the track for them. Because the team is surely plummeting awkwardly. And just the way Damian Lillard didn’t hide his discontent, Doc Rivers being Doc Rivers, gave his unfiltered opinion on being triggered about his team.

“Do you think I’m fine with it? I don’t- I think you guys think we don’t say anything or something,” the HC sharply remarks. “Do you think we’re watching films and just it’s quiet time? No. I’m being serious. Like, do you think we’re not saying stuff every day? What’s not happening is, we’re getting off the bad starts, we’re not moving the ball, and we’re not playing right. We got to play right, we’ve done that. We gotta get back to doing it.” 

Rivers is doing anything but cutting a slack for the team. He knows what the power duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo can do on the court for them. He knows what Khris Middleton can bring to the floor when he’s fit and at his best. However, the odd slumps they’re facing in the last five games seem quite unforgiving. Surely, Giannis scored 31 points, Lillard chipped in 16, and AJ Green added 21 points to the game vs. the Trail Blazers. But it wasn’t enough.

The Bucks are on thin ice, and they know it. If they don’t patch up their flaws fast, other teams will pounce, and they’ll spiral back to square one. Sitting at the bottom of the East early in the season was a wake-up call. Now, every game ahead feels like a trial by fire. The playoffs aren’t waiting, and neither are their rivals.