Shaquille O’Neal predicts worrying first-round playoff exit for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks

The Bucks are currently on a four-game losing streak.

Shaquille O’Neal predicts worrying first-round playoff exit for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks

Shaquille O’Neal and Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks have clinched a place in the NBA playoffs despite being on a poor four-game losing streak. This led NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to share his thoughts on their hopes going into the postseason.

Shaquille O’Neal and Candace Parker discussed the Bucks’ chances on NBA on TNT’s recent episode when Parker asserted whether the Bucks are set for a first-round exit. Shaq then agreed with her and further stated the team’s two important issues.

They (Bucks) have two problems. They don’t have a 100% effort all the time. Well, they don’t have championship effort all the time... They have a lack of focus. So until they fix the focus and the effort, they can be bounced out the first round.
Shaquille O’Neal said

Despite the pairing of scoring maestro Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled since Doc Rivers took over the team’s helm. Currently trailing runaway leaders and NBA title favorites, the Boston Celtics, by 15 games, and according to Big Shaq, they just need to regain their focus if they don’t want to end up exiting early.

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Their last game saw them lose 122-109 to an inspired Jalen Brunson-led New York Knicks and, as a result, gave them a record of 1-4 in the form table. A game in which they were the outright favorites; if they don’t sit up, an early postseason exit is very well on the cards.

Bill Simmons also feels Milwaukee won’t strike fear into their playoff rivals

The Milwaukee Bucks, once preseason favorites, have utterly fumbled despite acquiring Damian Lillard. They’ve struggled to bond as a cohesive unit, and the abrupt coaching change didn’t help matters; thus, it has led to Bill Simmons losing faith in the team.

Would you want to play Milwaukee if you were a seventh seed? I’m just saying that who would go, ‘Oh no, we’ve drawn Milwaukee.’ I don’t think I’ll have the fear factor because that team can’t play three games in a row that look good.
Bill Simmons said on his podcast

Furthermore, if the Bucks aim to go far in the playoffs, they now have to count on the services of seasoned battle leaders like the Greek Freak and Dame Lillard, although it won’t be business as usual with the 76ers and Heat able competitors. Optimizing their talent is the best solution to their challenges; thus, it’s up to the team to prove their critics wrong.

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