The Milwaukee Bucks have a problem. Their cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo disclosed his unsettled feelings with regards to the team. “Right now, we don’t have an identity,” he said. After what seemed like an improved showing in their season debut, the Bucks have last games to inferior teams. Their offense has been two-faced, with Damian Lillard and Antetokounmpo scoring the brunt. On the other side of the floor, their defense has leaked points.

With a fierce tandem at his disposal, it hasn’t been the ideal start for Rivers and the Bucks. The head coach feels they need to realign themselves and use active defense as a way to settle into their offense. So far, they have allowed 119 points over three games, ranking as the seventh worst in the NBA. Offensively, they lack movement, relying strictly on their two pillars.

Are the Greek Freak and Dame failing to get everyone involved? Or is there a flaw within the system? Baron Davis believes the latter.

“There is no system that’s put you in a position to where you feel like your game, everybody stuck in the corner. If Giannis and Dame Lillard are stuck in their separate corner and they are not communicating right then now you got to the coach, as the guys talk to the coach,” he said while speaking to Draymond Green.

The Bucks currently make the eighth least number of passes, averaging 268.5 per game. Is this the reason their system is failing? Not necessarily, as the Thunder average even fewer passes but still find success on both ends of the floor. The issue is more related to the direction of these passes. Currently, the Bucks lack a clear third option to defer to, with Bobby Portis averaging only 11.3 points as their third-highest scorer.

Davis wants the team to learn from the Thunder. Every movement they make serves a purpose. While the ball may not move as vigorously, their offense is well-balanced. They identify Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the fulcrum of their game. Milwaukee has two players who can fulfill that role. Instead of leveraging this advantage, however, it is currently holding them back.

But how can they fix this?

The advice for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard

The call for cohesion in Milwaukee right now is crucial. Currently, their offensive strategy revolves around two main players. Apart from Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, no other player averages 27 passes per game. In a discussion on the Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, the Warriors legend emphasized that the responsibility for involving everyone falls on the point guard.

His advice for Dame – first run the show then pick and choose your time to attack.

“When he played with LaMarcus Aldridge, he gave it to LaMarcus Aldridge let him anchor. I think he got to start going back to that mentality like okay I got Giannis, let me load Giannis up. Let me get these dues going right and not that it’s not yourself but it’s not your points,” he said.

In the current framework, the Bucks’ first-quarter offense generates over 8 points from both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard. At first glance, it makes it seem like they are playing well off each other. However, the grave reality stays hidden. No Bucks player is averaging even 3 points in the opening period, making it difficult to get role players such as Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. into any sort of motion.

Additionally, while the Greek Freak is loading up points, his offensive rating has waned tremendously. The juggernaut is looked at as a formidable tank that can’t be stopped. Yet, his offensive rating sits at a little over 106, and his net differential a -8.8. The foundational star’s demise should be the biggest alarm for Doc Rivers.

If we look at any other team, the scoring distribution is even. The Celtics choose to go through Tatum, the Lakers to Anthony Davis, and so on. As one goes down the pecking order, every other player has a balanced say in the offense, vital to get their engines going and keep them engaged in the game.

Rather than changing the system, there needs to be a clear distinction. Lillard and Antetokounmpo can’t be the only sources of attack, and they can’t operate in isolation from the others. For a turnaround to happen, this duo will need to pick their moments carefully and adhere to their mutual discussions.

Maybe that’s the way to go for the Bucks. Do you think Doc Rivers will figure it out? Let us know your views in the comments below.