Apr 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks for a shot against New Orleans Pelicans guard Elfrid Payton (4) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Bucks Take Another Major Shot at ESPN

Originally posted on Milwaukee Bucks on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks have been dealing with some disrespect all season long. After being eliminated in the first round in the playoffs a year ago, a lot of NBA pundits have been questioning the Bucks.

Specifically, those at ESPN have been questioning Giannis Antetokounmpo and his ability to help the Bucks win a championship. He has been very vocal about the fact that he wants to win a second title, and he prefers that it happens in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo is a top-five player in the NBA who already has multiple MVP awards. He shouldn't have much more to prove when it comes to playing basketball in the regular season.

It seems that the Bucks have had it with the disrespect, especially from one of the biggest sports networks in the country. Their social media team fired back at ESPN's disrespect of Antetokounmpo.

https://t.co/6DrDxyC4Vi pic.twitter.com/zZskJwNB9F
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 18, 2025

Without Damian Lillard in the lineup, Antetokounmpo raised his level of play. He turned on his play to something that he hadn't had previously this season.

The Bucks will be better with Lillard back in the lineup, which they will have after Game 1 on Saturday. He is someone who can help the Bucks with their outside shooting when the Pacers collapse and double-team him.

Antetokounmpo is still a good enough player to carry the team to victories. He can still score at will in the paint when teams don't build a wall to keep him in front of them.

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Pretty much everyone on ESPN picked the Pacers to win this series, so they showed even more disrespect to the Bucks. It seems that no one thinks that the Bucks can handle Indiana's depth.

How well Antetokounmpo plays will determine whether or not the Bucks can win this series. If Milwaukee loses to the Pacers in the playoffs again, some major changes could happen in the offseason.

During the regular season, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. He shot 60.1 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

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This article first appeared on Milwaukee Bucks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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