Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed satisfaction after his team’s recent victory over the New York Knicks, marking a significant turnaround from last season’s struggles. Last year, the Bucks faced a disheartening 0-3 record against the Knicks, with an average defeat margin of 22 points. This season, Antetokounmpo in particular has made a concerted effort to use earlier failures as motivation to drive their present-day success.
Even last season, New York dominated Milwaukee to the extent of a season sweep over the Bucks. They earned a perfect 4-0 record against the other three elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks are coming off a shocking 0-9 finish to last year. Their first round opponents were the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks — all of whom had been top three seeds in the East.
Antetokounmpo has made it a point to remind his teammates of last year’s shortcomings, urging them to stay focused and maintain a competitive edge. His leadership has been very important in establishing the attitude of the locker room and demanding greatness.
“They were way better than us last year and we didn’t make it tough for them. It was very easy in my opinion. And as the leader of this team, I remember. I don’t forget things and I try to, from early at shootaround, set the tone for the team and try to remind them, last year they swept us.” – Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ngom remains positive in the face of his previous departures. He’s laser-focused on his next game against the Golden State Warriors. He’s hoping to reel off two straight wins, adding more momentum to the Bucks as they head deeper into the season.
Proud of his adopted city, Antetokounmpo expressed his love for fighting through adversity on the floor.
“This is my city. I love when it’s tough,” – Giannis Antetokounmpo
He added, “I thrive when it’s tough. When you make it tough, I thrive.” This was his promise not just to improve himself but to set a bar for everyone around him.
He’s definitely bringing that leadership, the on the court leadership. Milwaukee-New York trade talks had actually progressed as this sort of thing goes in late February. Those discussions never led to real negotiations.
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