Despite a tough season, the Milwaukee Bucks have proven they can still compete when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the court. NBA analyst Zach Lowe highlighted this on a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, noting that while he remains unconvinced about the team as a whole, the Bucks look much more competitive whenever the Greek Freak is in the lineup.
“When Giannis is on the court, they’re 20.3 points per 100 possessions better. It’s the largest differential with any player with 500 minutes in the whole league,” Lowe’s guest, Fred Katz commented.
“They’re plus 10 with Giannis on the floor. They’re a straight up dominant team with Giannis on the floor. Their starting five which is relatively new of (Kevin) Porter (AJ) Green, Giannis, (Ryan) Rollins, (Myles) Turner, +59 in 114 minutes. This is the case for the Bucks, to be above in the power rankings and go in the playoffs with a semi-not delusional belief is we have the best player. And when that guy’s on the floor, we’re pretty goddamn good,” remarked the NBA insider.
Giannis Antetokounmpo turns the Bucks into contenders
Feb 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) runs the down the court fired up after a dunk against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
With Giannis among the league’s elite, this isn’t a shocking stat. He alone keeps the Bucks in contention on any given night. But if Milwaukee wants to return to the top of the title conversation, Giannis can’t carry the load by himself. The supporting cast must step up, and roster adjustments could be necessary before the NBA Trade Deadline.
Fortunately, the Bucks have shown signs of improvement recently. Although their recent opponents haven’t been top-tier teams, Milwaukee has gone 4-1 in their last five games, showing progress as they finally close out victories. Now they face a challenging stretch against a lineup of strong contenders, which will provide a true test of their momentum.
Dec 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) goes up for a dunk against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
A major factor behind Milwaukee’s recent upswing and a reason for optimism is that the team is finally mostly healthy. Taurean Prince is still sidelined, but key players like Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all missed significant time, which made it difficult for the Bucks to find a rhythm. Now, with everyone largely available, the team is hitting its stride, driven by Giannis’ impact on both ends of the floor.
The Milwaukee Bucks have struggled through a 16-20 start, but they are beginning to find their rhythm. If Giannis keeps up his current level of play, a full turnaround could be within reach. The next seven games will show how far this team can push with the Greek Freak at the forefront.