Rondo sees inconsistencies as a significant element in Antetokounmpo and the Bucks' season frustrations.
As Doc Rivers' coaching assistant, Rajon Rondo is well aware of what's happening in and out of the Milwaukee Bucks.
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For this, the former NBA star set the record straight on what might be Giannis Antetokounmpo's frustration about the group in the wake of their brutal season struggles.
"For me, I think we just haven’t bought into everybody being stars in their role consistently enough," Rondo said on KG Certified. "I think that’s the frustrating part. Obviously, the big fella missed a lot of games, and it’s a big thing now how we’re trying to be good without Giannis on the court. If we can do it as a team versus one person or two people here and there every possession, because every possession is valuable. We may go on stretches where it’s two or three possessions where we don’t take care of the ball or we’re not able to get a stop, and that’s where the gap continues to grow.
"It’s magnified now because of the trade deadline and rumors. Even though it’s a small market, it’s still the Milwaukee Bucks, and it’s Giannis’s team. We’re going through it, but that’s the NBA grind. It’s an NBA loss here and there. Every season, you can’t win a championship."
After years of success, contention and ultimately winning it all in 2021, Giannis and the Bucks are facing an unfamiliar situation this 2025-26.
Right now, the Bucks are out of the competitive picture. They are 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-25 record, 2.5 games away from the final Play-In spot.
Out of this slump, rumors are intensifying about the uncertain future of Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. And while there hasn't been any clear progress yet on the trade front about the Greek superstar, the entire NBA is monitoring what might finally unfold once the Bucks' decline continues.
The Bucks are steadfast in convincing Giannis to stay and despite their ongoing downslide, Rondo believes that the group is still special enough to compete.
"I just think we do have some great pieces," the two-time NBA champion said. "We do have some really good pieces. It’s just about everybody being consistent. That’s what separates the greats."
As the season hits the second-half portion, the Bucks can only act with urgency to be able to maintain Antetokounmpo's commitment.
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