Another day and the same old story for the Milwaukee Bucks, a loss. Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 43 points, he couldn’t save them. In a tightly contested game, the Bucks came up short, losing 113-107. This defeat drops them to 2-8 across their first ten games! The Boston Celtics weren’t flawless, but they managed to rally and secure a win despite an early deficit. Once again, they showed up when it mattered. Guess that’s what champions do.

Milwaukee’s stars, however, showed up strong at the start on Sunday. Antetokounmpo dominated in scoring, while Dame quickly found his groove, sinking a wild three-pointer to beat the shot clock in the first half. But other than them, no one else showed up.

The Bucks have been suffering from injuries the whole season, Khris Middleton does not seem to be coming back anytime soon. On the other hand, fans are calling out Brook Lopez for his performance. His impact on the Bucks had been remarkable, especially since he reinvented his game to include a three-point shot while anchoring Milwaukee’s strong defense. But he’s not the same anymore.

Lopez, who re-signed with Milwaukee on a two-year, $48 million contract in 2023, is once again part of the trade rumor mill. Linked with trades all across the summer, the hoopster ultimately stayed with the Bucks. Now, as Milwaukee explores its options, Lopez’s name has surfaced again. Since joining the team from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, the 36-year-old has contributed an average of 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in the first few games this season.

Fans are appalled with ‘lost’ Brook Lopez’s performance

One user commented, “Lopez looks lost every time he has the ball. He was bad last year but he’s become a liability this year“. Brook Lopez seemed sharper, defensively, this game when compared to his last game against the Knicks, where he struggled nearly every trip down the floor. While he did manage 3 solid blocks against the C’s, providing support near the basket, his ongoing offensive issues are weighing heavily on the team.

This season has been Brook Lopez’s least productive offensively so far, as he finished this Celtics game with only 6 points, hitting just 2 of 6 shots from the field and 2 of 5 from deep. That’s simply not going to cut it. Known for his outside shooting, Lopez has seen his accuracy plummet, yet he rarely considers driving to the basket to get something going when his shot isn’t falling. Another netizen chimed in with, “I love how all offensive and defensive momentum goes away the moment Brook Lopez steps onto the floor”. 

The 7-foot-1 center, despite his height, isn’t a dominant force on the boards. When matched up against more athletic centers, the hoopster often loses out on rebounds too. His priority is shot-blocking and defensive positioning, which frequently puts him out of place for rebounding. It’s a bit of a trade-off, where his defensive value sometimes comes at the cost of rebounding presence.

A frustrated user commented, “Get Lopez outta here!” Lopez’s limited quickness, especially laterally, becomes problematic when he’s defending faster guards or wings. This often puts Milwaukee at a disadvantage during pick-and-rolls, particularly against teams that effectively space the floor. Such situations expose his defensive weaknesses, leaving him vulnerable in crucial moments.

Another user commented, “Trade brook and fire doc rivers“. Lopez is having a tough time, and the Bucks’ playoff hopes look grim. Desperation is setting in. Yes, Brook Lopez can still put in a defensive shift and even be efficient from time to time, but the Bucks really need better dynamic players and not someone who only defends the paint. His volume from downtown is what differentiated him from the rest. However, he’s currently shooting at an embarrassing 26.2% from deep this season.

To turn things around, Milwaukee needs a new player who can guard multiple positions and some young talent that offers more than they’re currently paying for. The Bucks weren’t shy to fire a coach with a 30-13 record, why won’t they for 2-8?

The clock is ticking for Doc Rivers.