Giannis Antetokounmpo Feels the Bucks Can Surprise the NBA

Ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, most of the community do not have the Bucks as a top team in the Eastern Conference. They have a superstar in Giannis and a solid player in Myles Turner. However, the rest of the team is not championship-caliber.

They lost Damian Lillard to a ruptured Achilles in the postseason, so they waived and stretched his contract. That paved the way for Turner, but the Bucks are still not that good of a team. However, Antetokounmpo has belief in his squad.

Antetokounmpo Thinks The Bucks are Dangerous Underdogs

The Eastern Conference do not have the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers as underdogs ahead of the 2025-26 season. They do not have their star players because of Achilles injuries.

The Bucks are not as popular as the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers as teams that could reach the NBA Finals. However, Giannis is a big fan of his team. He wants the Bucks to have a championship mentality that could surprise the rest of the league.

With a confident Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are dangerous. While he has an underwhelming supporting cast that includes Kevin Porter Jr. and Kyle Kuzma, Giannis is still a believer.

"We’re not the favorites, but we’re going to be a problem. We’re going to be dangerous. The team is set up in a way that is very, very dangerous. We have a lot of shooting. We have a lot of playmakers and ball-handlers," Antetokounmpo said about the Bucks.

"We are set up exactly how you need to set up to make a statement. Now, our goal is Wednesday. After that, stay healthy. After that, get to the Playoffs, be in the Playoffs, win a Playoff series."

The Bucks Still Have a Limited Squad to Contend

Antetokounmpo could count for two players because of how well he can dominate a game. Turner is a good addition, as he is the perfect profile as a frontcourt partner, a center who can block shots and hit three-pointers.

The rest of the team could make massive improvements like Porter and Gary Trent Jr. If they can take the step up, the Bucks could be dangerous. AJ Green is a fantastic role player for this team, which is why he was rewarded with a contract extension.

With Antetokounmpo, Turner, Green, and the rest of the supporting cast motivated to perform, the Bucks could be a surprise team. It will be up to Doc Rivers to set them up for success, as people do not have a high outlook for the squad.

This will be challenging season in the Eastern Conference, but the Bucks know they can make a difference. Even without a secondary superstar like Lillard, it is hard to fault Giannis' belief in himself and the rest of the Bucks roster.