The sirens are sounding loud inside the building of the Milwaukee Bucks. 5 games in, the former champions have been reduced to a team sitting in the bottom standings of the East. Head coach, Doc Rivers, going down on his knees, helpless against the Celtics, is an image that probably sums up their state this season. They have lost to sub-par opponents even with Giannis Antetokounmpo being a staggering force on the hardwood. Now, frustrations are leaking out.

At first, the Greek Freak called for an “identity” from the Bucks. They currently rank 28th in three-point shooting while giving up the 5th most points in the league. At this time, Giannis is shooting over 60% from the field. The inconsistencies have come from outside of him. Obviously, with the season still young, there is scope to turn things around. But doubts are being cast on the Milwaukee side’s willingness to do so, intensifying rumors of Antetokounmpo wanting out soon.

“I hate to play body language doctor 5 games into the season, but you still give them a month. You see what happens, there’s always a chance to turn things around. But that’s not a team to me that looks like they want to turn around or have the belief that they are about to turn around… Damian Lillard, to me, when I watch him, I just watch him and go, ‘That’s not a guy that I think is about to turn the corner.’ Because he doesn’t look happy, he doesn’t look content in doing the things he’s doing for the team right now, They look joyless, they don’t look like they’re having any fun,” the host of The All NBA podcast Adam Mares shared.

It’s, of course, a normal observation, but with not even gradual improvements in place, this is a concern, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo and his determination. He loves Milwaukee and considers it his home. However, the hooper has spoken about leaving under one condition. “So as I said, if the Milwaukee Bucks are on the same page for the rest of my career, great. If not, I have to win. I have to win. And I think the city and people will understand it,” he said about potentially leaving in the past.

So what does the two-time MVP see from the team thus far?

Just how close is Giannis Antetokounmpo to leaving the Bucks?

The shocking record, in-game lapses, and failures have never deterred Giannis Antetokoumpo. However, there is one thing he loathes more than anything. It’s the prospect of those surrounding him becoming “comfortable,” about one key aspect. Even though he has won a championship and cemented himself as arguably the greatest Bucks player in history, he isn’t satisfied.

“I want to be a winner. Contracts, fame, status, comfort zone does not matter to me. What matters at the end of the day is that thing right there. That’s what matters. And I don’t want to be able to get stuck in this lifetime to keep on talking about the same story,” he said on 48 Minutes.

As of now, the Milwaukee Bucks are very much in distress. Apart from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, no player is averaging even 15 points per game. Still, what he sees from them is the desire to become better. “Everybody is doing the right thing. I see it in everybody’s eyes. They’re willing to do the right thing to win games and sometimes it’s not going to go your way,”. 

All the things not visible to the eye are satisfactory for him. Players are holding each other accountable and are equally engrossed in flipping the script. However, at the same time, there is some realism. Before the season, Antetokounmpo felt he “might get traded” upon failing to deliver a championship.

In terms of contracts, Brook Lopez is in his last season, Dame has a player option in two years and Khris Middleton has found it challenging to remain healthy. Essentially, everything hinges on the outcome of this season. Under Doc Rivers, the Bucks don’t have a winning record. If that persists, the head coach’s future will also be under strict consideration.

As far as resources go, the Bucks arguably have an explosive tandem at the helm, and the complementary players to augment their impact. However, the shortcomings have established an order, amidst a streak of losses. A tough schedule awaits the Bucks. Do you think Rivers can manage to leverage it and change the narrative in Wisconsin? Let us know your views in the comments below.