“You have blood on your hands,” Giannis Antetokounmpo BLAMED for Milwaukee Bucks downfall

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins called out Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Milwaukee Bucks' slow start to the 2024-25 season.

“You have blood on your hands,” Giannis Antetokounmpo BLAMED for Milwaukee Bucks downfall

Giannis Antetokounmpo called out by Kendrick Perkins

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are off to a disastrous start. The Bucks have won just 2 of their first eight games, with both wins coming against dilapidated oppositions. The pairing between Antetokounmpo and star guard Damian Lillard has just not worked out, while the coaching woes of the team continue to haunt them.

Who is to blame? ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes that the ‘Greek Freak’ needs to take the blame. He joined the All The Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. Perkins, an NBA champion, discussed the issues within the Doc Rivers-coached Bucks team and why Antetoukounmpo needs to take the blame for their current condition.

Giannis put pressure on the organization to make a move. Before he signed the extension, he went out publicly and said some things. So they make a move out of desperation and get Dame. You give up Jrue Holiday. Then last year, you fire Adrian Griffin… Giannis, you got blood on your hands.

Kendrick Perkins said

Perkins expressed his issues with Giannis Antetokounmpo, using his position as the Bucks franchise player to force a trade for Damian Lillard over Jrue Holiday. He went on to criticize Giannis for pressuring the organization to fire rookie HC Adrian Griffin last season, even though the Bucks stood with a 31-13 record.

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Since Griffin’s hiring, the Doc Rivers era in Milwaukee has been a disaster so far. The Bucks have had a 19-26 record under Rivers and a loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Indiana Pacers last season.

Some of their struggles last season could be boiled down to the injuries faced by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. However, the Bucks seem worse off this season even though they have had a healthy Antetokounmpo and Lillard.

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Perkins criticizes lack of offseason moves around Giannis Antetoukounmpo

Kendrick Perkins did not stop there with his criticism. He especially called out the Milwaukee Bucks organization for their failure to add more winning pieces around Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. Perkins emphasized that while other teams strengthened their rosters with key pieces, the Bucks only added Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince.

To be honest, the Bucks ain’t do sh** this offseason. While everybody else was making powerful moves, Milwaukee only got Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince. Khris Middleton is coming off two ankle surgeries, that sh** done. If they don’t make it to the NBA Finals this year, I could see Milwaukee going in a different direction or Giannis wanting out.

Kendrick Perkins said

Milwaukee’s slow 2-6 start to the 2024-25 season has only added to the scrutiny. Perkins fears that if the Bucks fail to reach the NBA Finals, Antetokounmpo might consider leaving the team in the offseason. Antetokounmpo himself has echoed similar sentiments in the media after the Bucks’ slow start this season.