After winning the NBA Cup, the Bucks seemed ready to start their season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates had thus returned to the positive in terms of results and the team was only waiting for the rise in power of Khris Middleton to return to the heights of the Eastern Conference…
Except the team is actually going in the opposite direction. Injured and/or ill, the “Greek Freak” and Damian Lillard missed a few matches which could have explained this less good performance, except that the “Big Three” has been in place, in the major five, for three matches. Result ? A very complicated comeback against the Pacers and above all two defeats in the process, at home, against the Nets then against the Blazers!
Fatigue rather than lack of complementarity?
While he had shown good things for his return to the major five, in the absence of his Greek teammate, Khris Middleton was already struggling since the return of his comrade, in the last two meetings, and he hit the bottom last night with only 2 points scored at 1/5 shooting, in 26 minutes on the floor.
The problem is that Giannis Antetokounmpo also seems to have difficulty finding his place when he plays alongside both Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, not displaying his usual efficiency.
” I don't know. It's only been three games.” he answers when asked if the return of Khris Middleton to the major five disrupts his rhythm. ” I don't know. I think I don't have any rhythm because I've mostly been out for nine days. I don't think my rhythm is linked to the fact that Khris or Dame is on the field. »
The double MVP ensures that he leaves the tactical choices to his coach, Doc Rivers.
Still no certainty
“It’s Coach Doc’s decision whether he’s going to start Khris or not. He starts it. In the end, it doesn't matter who starts, what matters is who plays the last six minutes of the match, because that's when we need guys who fight, who do good deeds, who put in shots and which win matches. »
Except that the trio Lillard – Middleton – Antetokounmpo was on the field during the last six minutes of the match, without managing to force the decision. And while Khris Middleton was mainly a spectator of the actions of his two teammates, the leader assures that the problem mainly comes from his remaining absence.
“I missed four games being bedridden. I was really sick. It's not an excuse but sometimes there's a different feeling when you go from that to getting back on the pitch. Sometimes there is simply physical fatigue. Sometimes we feel weak so each match allows us to regain sensations. »
But in the meantime, the defeats keep coming and the “Big Three” still can’t find their feet…
