After increasing their record to 4-0 with a 119-108 win against the New York Knicks on Friday night, the Milwaukee Bucks are the only club left in the NBA that has not yet suffered a loss.
The Bucks’ Best Start Since 2018–19
The Bucks are off to their greatest start since the 2018–19 season when they won their first seven games in a row on way to the best record in the NBA and 60 victories overall. This is the fourth time in the franchise’s history that they have begun a season with at least a 4-0 record.
The key player for the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was quoted as saying after Friday’s contest, “We have a talented squad, but we need to be humble as much as we can.”
When I think back on it now, I realize how dissatisfied I felt. On Friday night against the Knicks, Antetokounmpo scored 30 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists.
His performance helped carry Milwaukee to another victory even though the team is starting the season without two key rotation players in forward Khris Middleton (wrist injury) and guard Pat Connaughton.
Antetokounmpo said that the team is doing well and that they are developing positive routines. “We are defending well. We have big-time players that are getting ready to join the team.
But at the end of the day, that does not mean that they are going to come in and make us play better, or that they are going to come in and make us defend better, or that they are going to make it easier for us to win.”
“We can’t wait to get them back healthy, and whenever they do, maybe we’ll be able to maintain what we have going, continue winning games, continue playing terrific basketball, and continue loving the game as much as we do.”
This Is Antetokounmpo’s Eighth Year As An NBA Player
In this, Antetokounmpo’s tenth season in the NBA, he has gotten off to a tremendous start and has been dominating.
According to research conducted by ESPN Stats & Information, he is the first player to have 125 points, 50 rebounds, and 25 assists through four games since Larry Bird in 1987-88.
He is averaging 34.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 63% from the field. He has collected 138 points, 53 rebounds, and 25 assists through four games. He is the first player to do this since Larry Bird in 1987-88.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer attributed Milwaukee’s strong start to the team’s consistent play from Giannis Antetokounmpo and the availability of a healthy Brook Lopez at the center.
The Bucks’ defense has returned to the top of the league to start the season after falling to 14th in defensive efficiency last season while Lopez missed nearly the entire regular season with a back injury.
Finishing Line
The Bucks are currently leading the NBA by allowing just 99.8 points per 100 possessions, which is the lowest rate of any team in the league.
“Giannis has, without a doubt, gotten off to an outstandingly strong start thus far. Right out of the gate, Brook has been quite impressive. I would say that those two have been our most reliable every night “Budenholzer added.
For these first four games, I think we’ve had a really decent group of guys, including George Hill, Jrue, Grayson, and others.
But I believe that Giannis and Brook have helped to set the tone for us going out of the gate, every possession, every night. Moving ahead, we are going to need it of you.” On Saturday, the Bucks will play host to the Hawks, who currently have a 4-1 record.