Despite the elite performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks are now 5-3 with Giannis coming back from injury. A few weeks ago, fans weren’t really sure how they would end up this season.
“I think the Bucks have potential, but I think the Giannis injury and trade rumors have really put a gray cloud over the season, and it’s been hard to gain any momentum,” senior Thomas Hanlon said.
The Bucks are now entering the midpoint of the 2025-2026 NBA season. With a 17-22 record that places them 11th in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks have struggled to find consistency because of injuries. But true fans aren’t giving up on them yet.
“I have either attended or watched every game, and I enjoyed going to the Bulls vs. Bucks home game. I think the Bucks will fix the struggles and rebuild back up in the standings this season,” sophomore Aaron Rekowski said.
As the Bucks struggle this season, there is a lack of consistency on both ends of the floor. At the same time, Giannis continues to perform at an elite level and keeps the team’s engine going. Defensively, the team has shown sparks of discipline but has failed to sustain it for an entire game, which allows opponents to capitalize during stretches. Despite their struggles, some players have looked promising.
“One player that has really exceeded my expectations this year has been Ryan Rollins. He’s been a bucket all year and continues to make a case for most improved player. Another guy performing unexpectedly well is Kyle Kuzma. I feel like expectations weren’t high for him, but he’s been playing good ball lately,” junior Wesley Van Lith said.
The season will be defined by how they respond to the challenges that get in their way. With time still left to make adjustments, they can still turn it around, but it will take a lot of grit, consistency, and execution.
There have been a lot of trade rumors surrounding Giannis, but last week on Thursday, Jan. 8, he was quoted as stating that “My plan is to be here for the rest of my career. If they don’t want me…I’m not the one in charge. I am an employee.”
Fans are torn on whether or not they should trade him.
“I think it could be a smart move for the Bucks to trade Giannis because their future if they don’t get some picks or compensation for him looks bleak,” Hanlon said. However, as a fan, I do not want them to trade Giannis, and I still think they can build something here with him. It will just be more difficult after the disaster of the Dame trade,”
