While interviewing All-Star Game MVP Damian Lillard last night, Shaquille O’Neal bluntly stated that the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t playing to their strengths. With all the championship-winning pieces on the team, Shaq used the All-Star Weekend to provoke the stars of the team to show some intense competition. And the hosts of First Things First agree with the TNT analyst. Chris Broussard and Nick Wright said that if Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t up the stakes, he, along with Damian Lillard and new head coach Doc Rivers are going to suffer the blame.

Kevin Wildes noted that Wright’s comments on Giannis are the “Chiefs remix.” Specifically, “Midwestern team with an all-time great player who hasn’t looked right in the regular season but maybe later on it starts to coalesce and if that defense can get better you got an ultimate closer.”

He’s referring to Wright’s past commentary on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, now the 2024 Super Bowl Champions. Mahomes went from a slow start in the season to winning his third Super Bowl MVP title this year.

Wright also said the Bucks’ defensive rating has declined and there are glaring issues they need to fix if Giannis is going to fulfill his ambition to win a championship. After Wilde drew the Mahomes comparison, Wright dismissed it. “The Bucks aren’t the defending champs and I don’t think Giannis has earned the deference that Mahomes has.” But what did Shaq say that instigated this conversation?

Following the All-Star Game, Shaq told Lillard, “You and Giannis are being too nice. When it’s all said and done and it don’t work out, three people are going to be blamed, Doc, you and Giannis.” The Giannis-led East won the All-Star Game 211-186 and Lillard was voted MVP.

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The First Things First hosts agreed with Shaq when he said, “There’s no reason you should be 3-7 with Doc Rivers over there… You’re gonna have to grab some people by the necks and say, ‘Hey, this is what I need you to do.'” Everyone needs to understand that Shaq’s comments mean no harm and he has been a supporter of both Lillard and Giannis for a long time.

TNT Analysts have high expectations for the Bucks

The Bucks tried to change their fortunes by adding former Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers coach, Doc Rivers, at the helm. Before the All-Star break, the Bucks were on a three-game losing streak and dropped 7 out of 10 games under Doc’s watch.

Along with the Greek Freak and Dame dominating the East, Doc also became the All-Star-winning coach. However, Shaq and his colleagues at Inside the NBA were critical of Rivers’ All-Star appearance.

The TNT crew are fans of the super team of Giannis and Dame but also have the highest expectations from them. Wright said, “But I do think he might be the best player in the league,” about Antetokounmpo and all these analysts hope the Bucks maximize that. What do you think about their opinions?

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