This is the paradox of the Bucks. Still runners-up to the Celtics in the East, the teammates of Giannis Antetokounmpo validated their ticket to the playoffs last night. What should have been validated 15 days ago was finally validated on the evening of a 4th defeat in a row, the sixth in seven matches, and Milwaukee owes its ticket to the Heat's defeat at the Pacers.
“It's a bit crazy, it feels like it's the end of the world, but when you look at the rankings we're in second place, so it's not as bad as everyone thinks » recalls Bobby Portis. “You just have to make a few little adjustments here and there and stay confident. The most important thing is to stay confident and play for each other. »
Listening to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the morale of his troops is still affected. “It’s not a good feeling,” he admits. “It's definitely not a good feeling. The atmosphere in the team is not good. Once you start losing matches, you become more tense, more timid… In the end, you just have to stay in the game. Redouble your efforts. Work harder. Hang on. Thanks to all this, we hope to improve. »
Just one small victory as a trigger?
Author of 28 points and 15 rebounds against the Knicks, the “Greek Freak” also hopes that this terrible period is a blessing in disguise. And above all, it allows the hardest-working among them to do violence to each other.
” But it's good. It's not necessary that things always go well and that you win every match… Sometimes you have to go through that. When you face such adversity, you know what to expect in the playoffs. It's the same in life… If you're a worker, you go back to doing what you do best, which is working harder. If you're not a worker, you're probably going to stay in this loop for a while. »
For Doc Rivers, just one small victory can be a trigger. Why not this week against the Celtics or the Magic, in decisive matches for the final ranking.
“We need a victory, something has to go in the right direction,” begs Bucks coach. “I've been there before. But this team is too talented, in my opinion, to go through that. It doesn't matter who plays, or not. Every team has players who get injured. So I have to find a solution. »
For Doc Rivers, it's impossible to calculate
One thing is certain, the Bucks ensure that they are not “tank” to avoid the winner of the first play-in play-off. That is to say potentially the Sixers or the Heat.
“If we win matches, everything will happen naturally. I can guarantee you that we are not trying not to win. That's how I've always seen things. It’s about winning matches and stopping where it stops. It will be difficult, the East. It is a fact. The first round will be difficult. The second round too » concludes Doc Rivers. “It’s the same in both conferences. The only thing we don't do is try to calculate, because that's impossible anyway. We're just trying to win now. But most importantly, we try to win, be healthy and have a good rhythm. If we can do these three things, we will be very happy. »
For the moment, there are injuries, no rhythm and defeats.
