5 things we've learned about the Milwaukee Bucks so far in 2024-25 NBA season

The Milwaukee Bucks made a meteoric rise in the 2020-21 season and lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy for the first time since 1971. Spearheaded by their superstar Giannis Anetokounmpo, the Bucks were an unstoppable force in the Eastern Conference.

Last season, a significant managerial change and an injury to their star player brought their dominant reign to an end, and the Pacers eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucks have played their first four games of the 2024-25 season and it hasn't looked great. Here are the five things we have learned about the Milwaukee Bucks so far in the 2024-25 season.

5 things we've learned about the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024-25 NBA season

#1. Giannis Antetokoumpo is still a force

Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf injury right before the playoffs began. The Bucks fought hard against the Pacers but were eliminated in the first round with a 4-2 record. However, the "Greek Freak" is back and having an incredible individual season right off the bat.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game with a 62.0% field goal shooting percentage. He is on his way to an MVP season and if he remains healthy and keeps up the consistency, the Bucks star could very well bag his third MVP honor.

#2. Potential identity crisis

Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a dominant force on the court, the same couldn't be said about his team. The Milwaukee Bucks have lost three of their first four matchups and are currently sitting at a 1-3 record. Much of it has to do with the lack of identity in the team.

Ever since the coaching change last season, the Milwaukee Bucks have not found their offensive or defensive image. The squad just passes the ball to Antetokounmpo or Lillard during the offense who do their best to get the bucket. However, their opponents can counter the Bucks if they shut their two stars down.

On the defensive end, the situation is worse as the Bucks have looked terrible at defensive transitions. They are easy to exploit from both downtown and in the paint. It has been easy for teams to create mismatches against them and even easier to get open looks to knock down threes.

#3. Minimal threat from downtown

One of the prime problems for the Milwaukee Bucks this season is how much less of a threat they are from beyond the arc. The league has changed and modern-day NBA basketball is nothing like it used to be two decades ago.

The 3-point shot has become a lethal and must-have weapon for every team in the league and the Bucks are lacking severely in that department. The only great 3-point shooters on the Bucks squad are their star guard Damian Lillard, with a 30.8% shooting percentage from downtown, and former Raptor Gary Trent Jr., shooting 36.4% from downtown.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has never been a great marksman, he has been known to run down opponent's defense and crash on the rim. However, it still works as Antetokounmpo is a freak of nature and is practically unstoppable in the paint, it shouldn't be an excuse for the franchise to be low on downtown marksmen.

#4. Giannis Antetokounmpo's lack of "off the ball" movements

There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokoumpo is the face of the Bucks and is among the top five offensive players in the league. However, the power forward has not been very effective in his "off the ball" movements or setting his teammates up.

With his incredible physique and build, Antetokounmpo can be a great facilitator setting up screens and creating space on the floor for his teammates.

#5. Doc Rivers' outdated tactics

The biggest problem for the Milwaukee Bucks right now is their tactics. Doc Rivers took over the head coaching position from Adrian Griffin midway last season and is yet to prove himself in the job.

The Bucks have been seen to play with outdated tactics where they rely on scoring from inside the paint and mid-rangers a lot instead of mixing it up with some elite downtown shooting. River's tactics have been backfiring and if he doesn't figure out to turn things around soon then he could be in Griffin's position midway through this season.