The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to bounce back from their 113-110 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night against the Portland Trailblazers. Damian Lillard, arguably the greatest player in Trailblazers history, is himself looking to come back from two consecutive disappointing games that have seen him struggle to knock down shots.

Dec 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on from the sidelines during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
In Milwaukee’s 120-112 win over the Indiana Pacers, Lillard was just 3/14 from the floor, which included going 3/9 from three. He had just nine points. Against Brooklyn, he scored 23 points, but made just six of his 20 shots (4/13 from three).

One NBA legend, though, does not have much faith in Lillard and the Bucks right now.

NBA Legend Charles Barkley Says the Milwaukee Bucks “Just Stink”

Jan 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up the court against Brooklyn Nets win the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone

After Milwaukee lost to the Nets on Thursday, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley shared a very short and succinct opinion of their performance this season: “The Bucks stink, man.”

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At the moment, it is very hard to argue with Barkley’s assessment. While Milwaukee defeated the Pacers, they did so only after falling behind by 19 points and clawing their way back. Even though they only lost by three to the lowly Nets, they trailed by as many as 24 at one point.

At 17-15, the Bucks are certainly not where they thought they would be at this point in the season. A 2-8 start, which included an early six-game losing streak, resulted in many fans and NBA analysts wondering when Giannis Antetokounmpo would request a trade.

Milwaukee turned it around, or at least they appeared to, and they won the second annual NBA Cup in Las Vegas last month. However, they have yet to prove they can consistently beat the best teams in the league (aside from beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Championship).

Is There Reason to Hope for Milwaukee Bucks Fans?

Jan 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts up a shot against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone

While Milwaukee’s record is not where it should be, there is indeed reason for Bucks fans to be optimistic. The fact of the matter is that having Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo makes them a force to be reckoned with in any given game.

What is more, the Bucks are still trying to find their groove and identity following early season injuries. Khris Middleton did not make his season debut until a few weeks ago, and Giannis and Lillard both missed multiple games with an illness.

One would hope that Milwaukee would have figured some things out by game 33, but they have not, and there are many reasons for that.

However, the longer their core stays healthy, the better they will be as the season goes on. All they need is to get hot at the right time heading into the NBA Playoffs.