Former NBA star snubs Bucks’ impressive form, casts doubts on Giannis Antetokounmpo

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The Milwaukee Bucks were widely expected to be a mid-table team in the Eastern Conference for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Much of that perception stemmed from their decision to move on from Damian Lillard, bringing in Myles Turner as his replacement.

While Giannis Antetokounmpo was still expected to have a strong individual campaign, there was not much faith in the team’s ability to turn those performances into wins.

But so far, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have made a strong start, opening the season with three wins from their first four games.

Eddie Johnson thinks Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot keep carrying Milwaukee Bucks

At the moment, the Bucks hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, sharing the same record as the Miami Heat.

Despite the positive start, former NBA player Eddie Johnson is not sold on Milwaukee just yet. He feels Antetokounmpo is being asked to do too much and will not be able to keep it up over a full season.

“How much longer can he [Antetokounmpo] carry this team like that? With Myles Turner playing the way he is, Kyle Kuzma being a shell of himself. Depending on a young player, that’s not going to work,” Johnson said on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

“So, that’s why I’m not really blown away by their record right now. It’s early in the season.”

“I’m not buying the record for Milwaukee right now. I think it’s going to turn south sooner or later.”

Head coach Doc Rivers has implemented a heliocentric offense for the Bucks, and it appears to be effective early in the season.

If they want to remain in contention as things move forward, though, other players will need to find their form and take some of that burden off his shoulders.

Giannis Antetokounmpo off to a flying start to open 2025-26 NBA campaign

This offseason, there was plenty of talk about whether Giannis might push for a move away from Milwaukee. Many thought leaving was his best shot at another championship run.

But he stayed put and has hit the ground running. Early into this season, he has already put himself in MVP conversations again with strong play and leadership for a Bucks side needing stability after big roster changes.

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His numbers back it up too: 36.3 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists per game so far. Giannis’ efficiency is also through the roof – shooting nearly 70% overall and over 57% from beyond the arc.