Giannis Antetokounmpo says Bucks must rediscover ‘winning mentality’

Giannis Antetokounmpo came back swinging, but the Bucks kept slipping.

Milwaukee dropped its seventh straight on Friday, falling 118-109 to the Knicks despite a monster night from its superstar.

Antetokounmpo, back after missing four games with a groin strain, put up 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in 28 minutes.

Afterward, he delivered a clear message about where the Bucks are and where they need to go, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

On the losing streak, Antetokounmpo didn’t bother sugarcoating it.

“Nobody should have a personal agenda,” he said. “Worry only about winning mentality. Winning mindset.”

On the team slipping into bad habits:

“You cannot worry about one shot or two shots you miss… we got to get back to the mindset that we got to compete… this is not a one-man show.”

And on the defensive issues (Milwaukee ranks 20th in defensive field goal percentage):

“Do your job. Defend. Do the little things. Sometimes, when you worry about the little things, all the other things add up.”

The Bucks play again Saturday when they host the Nets, and Giannis plans to ramp up.

“Tomorrow, I will play more minutes,” he said. “I’m going to try to help the team win.”

Milwaukee is now 8-12 and searching for answers. Antetokounmpo provided the message. The Bucks still need the response.