the trade deadline has passed

THE Bucks continued to sink into Boston, bowing heavily facing Celticsfor the fifth defeat in a row. The absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, injured in the lower leg, is difficult, but does not explain everything.

Two days before the “trade deadline”, Doc Rivers pointed to the context that necessarily “pollutes” the daily life of the group. Asked before the meeting, the Milwaukee coach did not hide his impatience: he is waiting for only one thing, to get past February 5th and find some serenity.

“I don’t really have any perspective on Giannis, other than the fact that he said everything we needed to hear. He wants to be a Buck, he loves the city. That’s all I can say as a coach at this point.” he recalled. “Was it difficult? Yes! Every day your players listen to what is being said here and there, not only about their best teammate: they are also included in the discussions. This year, I think my favorite day of the season will be the day after the trade deadline. Because everyone will be there and we can get back to work. So I’m looking forward to that.”

What are we planning to finish the season?

For Doc Rivers, the time to break up didn’t come with Giannis Antetokounmpo. But his role is also to predict what will happen next and avoid a sports disaster: Milwaukee (18 wins – 29 losses) is sliding dangerously towards the bottom of the conference, with a concrete threat of being outside the Top 10 at the end of the season.

The staff’s priority is clear: get the “Greek Freak” back on its feet as soon as possible. Especially since one element hovers above everything else: the fragility of his calf, which he is healing for the fourth time in two years. A factor that, apart from performance, can also cool any transfer scenario.

While Rivers hopes above all else for a return to normality, and quickly, for everyone to focus on the field again.

“First, we’ll have to assess where he is with the injury. He’s improving, and I think he’ll be back playing at some point. We just don’t know when. From our side, it would help us win games, because we’re suffering right now. We have to find a way to win. And in the long term, if he stays, the best possible player is to keep him and we want to stay. Important point. I’ve been here for two seasons and I still haven’t had a healthy team, and Giannis wants him healthy.

Ego to manage…

Whatever happens, Milwaukee will quickly know what to expect. The club hopes to find a more breezy climate by Wednesday to try to save what can be saved: for the coach, for his “franchise player” and for the dressing room that has been living in uncertainty for the last few days.

Doc Rivers also recalled how that period became mentally unmanageable, in the age of social media and constant rumors.

“We’re not like 50 years ago, when Kendrick Perkins was playing, there was no Internet and nothing to read! These guys are reading everything, hearing everything, and it affects them. And I train myself on attitudes and mindset as much as anything. We deal with it day in and day out, and we have to continue.”

Tomorrow, the Bucks will host their neighbor Chicago, in a still unstable context, against a team that is also left with a heavy loss in Miami. Then it will (maybe) be time to get back on track.