Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players facing the most pressure in 2018-19

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

If a player such as Thon Maker is at risk of being cut or traded because of inconsistent play, Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the clear opposite end of the spectrum. Since being drafted 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft Antetokounmpo has grown each and every season into an MVP contender.

The pressure on Antetokounmpo comes not from his production or on-court brilliance, because he has exceeded expectations with his play. It comes because this season he will no longer have the protection of a scapegoat, another player to blame if his team again falls short. Jason Kidd is gone, and the Bucks have a competent coach in place.

Every superstar coming into his powers on a team alone has to deal with this progression. At first you can blame the coach, or the supporting cast, or the front office for not putting a better team around him. But eventually it’s on the star to show he can win at the highest levels. Anthony Davis put things together last season and won his first playoff game. Can Antetokounmpo do the same?

If Antetokounmpo and the Bucks fail to advance in the playoffs, the electric optimism fans and media alike have for him may begin to evaporate. Instead the doubts and criticisms will come out. He needs an outside shot. He is too skinny. Foreign players can’t lead a team to a title. Whatever the negativity looks like, it will come out in force if Antetokounmpo does not lead his team to a strong season and a playoff series win.