Motivation or Aggravation?

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo let his frustration be known.

The reigning NBA MVP told reporters, “what was frustrating at times I think we wasn’t ourselves.” The Bucks went 3-5 in the final eight regular season games played in the bubble, with Giannis unavailable for the final game. Antetokounmpo was serving a one game suspension for headbutting Wizards Moe Wagner.

I'm not sure Giannis frustration is warrented given the circumstances. Things couldn’t be better for the MVP: best record in the NBA, league MVP, finished the regular season averaging 29pts 13rebs 5ast, is the #1 seed and given a slap on the wrist after a headbutt that would have granted a different conversation had it been Draymond Green, or a Morris brother.

Of course guys aren’t themselves, they’re playing in an unprecedented environment with zero motivation. Mathematically, we can argue all day long, but realistically the Bucks had the #1 seed locked up. The NBA announced the last eight regular season games had no impact on the MVP voting, so Giannis was going to win whether the team went 3-5 or 8-0.

Set to become a free agent in 2021, it will be interesting to watch how Antetokounmpo teammates respond to his criticism. Make no mistake the 'Greek Freak' is the future of this league in or outside of Milwaukee.

Playing a banged up Orlando team in the first round won’t be a measuring stick for the Bucks playoff run. I believe they get to the Eastern Conference Finals again, and that’s where the bus stops.