Giannis Antetokounmpo Trying To Put Less Stress On Body As Bucks Dreaming Big

Without a doubt, the Bucks will need all of their key pieces to be healthy to avoid yet another first-round exit in the NBA playoffs.

Yes, that’s stating the obvious. But some believe Milwaukee has the pieces — especially after adding Kyle Kuzma — to become a true Eastern Conference threat again. Interesting, because a lot of people already seem to have counted them out.

But not so fast, wrote NBA insider Jamal Collier of ESPN.

“Milwaukee’s simplest solution to try to improve its fortune after back-to-back first-round-playoff exits: Make sure Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy,” Collier wrote. “He did not play a minute during the 2024 playoff series against Indiana and was limited by an injury during the 2023 first-round loss to Miami.”

So far, so good for Antetokounmpo. But the Bucks are still considered a clear No. 4 behind the Cavaliers, Celtics and Knicks when it comes to odds to emerge from the East.

“Antetokounmpo has tried to put less stress on his body this season by slightly altering his style of play, and the Bucks believe it will help keep him healthier in the long run and give the team its first chance to see the Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard together for a playoff series,” Collier wrote. “The duo has been productive on the court together this season, with a net rating of plus-5.2, but the Bucks are betting they can reach another level in the playoffs.”

Bucks? Playoff chances? Hey, maybe they’re better than a lot of people seem to think.