Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo still believes aging Bucks can compete: ‘These guys, they’re beasts’

Published by
Jason Simpson

The Milwaukee Bucks may be aging, but superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t losing any faith in his team.

The eight-time All-Star explained why he isn’t exactly concerned about the fact that the Bucks are “getting older.”

“We’re getting older,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re not getting any younger, but that doesn’t mean we cannot still perform at a high level. It’s hard to say, ‘Yeah, we’re old and you have to make changes.’ Because these guys, they’re beasts.”

Antetokounmpo hasn’t hit 30 yet, but he will during the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, fellow Bucks veterans Damian Lillard (34) and Khris Middleton (33) are already on the wrong side of 30.

In addition to Milwaukee’s core trio, there are several other players on the team’s roster that are either approaching 30 or past it. Veteran center Brook Lopez (36) is the oldest player on Milwaukee’s roster.

The Bucks have had three straight disappointing playoff showings. After they won the 2021 NBA title, they failed in their championship defense in 2022 by taking a second-round exit. Things got even worse in 2023 and 2024, with the team losing in the first round both times.

A trade for Lillard prior to last season didn’t end up being a magic fix, as he had a largely forgettable showing in his first year with the team.

But the 2024-25 season marks a clean slate for the Bucks, who are still very talented on paper. If they can turn their potential into actual results, they could very well become threats once again in the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo knows what it takes to win a championship — and so do some other members of Milwaukee’s roster — so it’s encouraging that he still has belief in his team’s ability to “perform at a high level” despite age being a factor. Now, it will be a matter of proving it.

After a pretty quiet offseason for the Bucks, they’re going to have to lean on internal growth and continuity in order to take a step in the right direction this season. They’ll get their first chance to make a statement on Oct. 23, when they’ll open their season against the new-look Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

That should give the Bucks an early chance to see how they measure up against one of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference after the 76ers acquired veteran forward Paul George this offseason.

Jason Simpson

Jason is a copy writer and editor with experience covering professional sports and current events. He is excited about being a part of the Ahn Fire Digital team.

Published by
Jason Simpson

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

13 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

3 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

5 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

7 days ago