{"id":1136,"date":"2025-03-28T09:41:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T09:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greekinter.net\/giannis\/?p=1136"},"modified":"2025-03-29T07:48:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T07:48:29","slug":"bucks-vs-knicks-history-a-rivalry-renewed-and-giannis-struggles-against-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greekinter.net\/giannis\/2025\/03\/28\/bucks-vs-knicks-history-a-rivalry-renewed-and-giannis-struggles-against-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Bucks vs. Knicks History: A Rivalry Renewed and Giannis\u2019 Struggles Against New York"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks have a storied history in the NBA, one that spans decades and features memorable moments, shifting fortunes, and, more recently, a spotlight on Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s challenges when facing the Knicks. As two Eastern Conference teams with passionate fanbases, their matchups have often carried weight, especially in recent years as both franchises have aimed to reassert themselves among the league\u2019s elite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Brief History of Bucks vs. Knicks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Bucks and Knicks first crossed paths in the late 1960s when Milwaukee joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968. Early on, the Knicks held the upper hand, buoyed by their championship teams of the early 1970s, led by legends like Walt Frazier and Willis Reed. The Bucks, however, quickly found their footing with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, claiming their first title in 1971. During this era, the teams were in different conferences\u2014Milwaukee in the West and New York in the East\u2014limiting their encounters to regular-season clashes and the occasional playoff meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the years progressed, the rivalry ebbed and flowed. The Bucks dominated in the 1980s with stars like Sidney Moncrief, while the Knicks resurgence in the 1990s under Patrick Ewing brought physical, defensive battles to the forefront. The two teams met in the playoffs several times, including a notable 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals series where the Bucks swept the Knicks 4-0. However, for much of the 2000s and early 2010s, both franchises struggled, diminishing the intensity of their matchups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee in 2013 and the Knicks\u2019 gradual rebuild in the late 2010s set the stage for a renewed rivalry. Since the Bucks moved to the Eastern Conference\u2019s Central Division and solidified themselves as contenders, their games against the Knicks have taken on new significance, especially as New York has climbed back into relevance with players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Giannis vs. the Knicks: A Tough Matchup<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blend of size, speed, and skill makes him a nightmare for most opponents\u2014but the Knicks have proven to be a particularly thorny challenge. The Bucks\u2019 struggles against New York this season (and in recent years) have highlighted specific problems Giannis faces when taking on the Knicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Physicality and Defensive Pressure<\/strong>
    The Knicks, under coach Tom Thibodeau, are known for their gritty, physical style of play. This approach has consistently disrupted Giannis\u2019 rhythm. New York\u2019s defenders\u2014whether it\u2019s OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, or even Towns in certain match ups\u2014throw multiple bodies at Giannis, forcing him into tough shots or turnovers. In a January 12, 2025, blowout loss (140-106), Giannis noted the Bucks\u2019 lack of collective creation, saying, \u201cWe didn\u2019t create for one another.\u201d The Knicks\u2019 swarming defence often isolates him, limiting his ability to facilitate and forcing him to carry the offensive load alone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Struggles Against Versatile Bigs<\/strong>
    Karl-Anthony Towns, acquired by the Knicks in 2024, has been a matchup nightmare for Giannis<\/strong>. Towns\u2019 ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting pulls Bucks centre Brook Lopez out of the paint, leaving Giannis to guard him on the perimeter or switch onto quicker players. In the November 8, 2024, game (a 116-94 Knicks win), Towns torched Milwaukee for 32 points, exploiting Lopez\u2019s slower foot speed and Giannis\u2019 reluctance to start games guarding him due to the workload. Bucks coach Doc Rivers later admitted it was a \u201cmistake\u201d not to put Giannis on Towns from the tip, but even when adjusted, Giannis couldn\u2019t fully neutralize Towns\u2019 versatility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Free-Throw Woes and Efficiency Dips<\/strong>
    Giannis\u2019 free-throw shooting has long been a point of criticism, and it\u2019s magnified against the Knicks. New York\u2019s physical defense sends him to the line frequently, but he\u2019s struggled to capitalize. In the January 2025 loss, he shot just 47.6% from the field\u2014his worst mark of the season\u2014and his free-throw struggles (often hovering below 60% in these games) have prevented him from maximizing his scoring output. This inefficiency stands out when the Bucks need him most against a Knicks team that capitalizes on every mistake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Team Struggles Against Elite Competition<\/strong>
    While this isn\u2019t solely a Giannis problem, his frustration with the Bucks\u2019 0-8 record against the East\u2019s top three teams (Cavs, Celtics, Knicks) as of January 2025 underscores a broader issue. After the 140-106 defeat, he bluntly said, \u201cWe\u2019ve gotta get our stuff together\u2026 We played horrible against them.\u201d The Knicks\u2019 balanced attack\u2014led by Brunson\u2019s 44 points in that game\u2014exposes Milwaukee\u2019s lack of depth and defensive cohesion, putting extra pressure on Giannis to overperform. When he can\u2019t, the Bucks crumble, as seen in their inability to slow New York\u2019s runs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Mental and Competitive Edge<\/strong>
    Giannis has been vocal about effort, famously calling out the Bucks\u2019 lack of competitiveness after the November 2024 loss: \u201cWe didn\u2019t compete at all.\u201d The Knicks, with their Madison Square Garden energy and Thibodeau\u2019s relentless mentality, seem to get under his skin. Unlike other teams where Giannis can dominate through sheer will, New York\u2019s resilience forces him into a mental battle he hasn\u2019t consistently won.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Looking Ahead<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    As of March 28, 2025, the Bucks sit at 40-31, a far cry from their dominant 60-win season in 2018-19, while the Knicks are thriving at 25-14. Giannis remains a force, averaging 31.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, but his 2-7 record against New York this season (including regular season and potential playoff matchups) tells a story of frustration. The Bucks\u2019 next chance to face the Knicks comes on Friday, March 28, and with Damian Lillard sidelined indefinitely due to a calf injury, Giannis will need to overcome these challenges without his co-star.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Historically, the Bucks and Knicks have traded blows, but the current chapter favours New York. For Giannis, solving the Knicks puzzle\u2014whether through better team execution, improved free-throw shooting, or a tactical adjustment to counter Towns\u2014will be key to reasserting Milwaukee\u2019s dominance in this rivalry. Until then, the \u201cGreek Freak\u201d faces an uphill battle against a Knicks team that\u2019s found a formula to fluster him quite easily. Sure, Giannis might still get 20 or 30 points. But if he does, the Bucks will lose<\/strong>. Time to share the ball and trust his team mates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ——UPDATE AFTER THE GAME ——-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yes, I was right, Giannis stat padding and no mid range:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    And he hogged the ball as usual<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    And he played no defence as usual, pretty clear Rollins was the player of the game:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Tyler Kolek is not intimidated by Giannis \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/09DtlXJvnf<\/a><\/p>— Knicks Fan TV \ud83c\udfc0\ud83c\udfa5\ud83d\udcfa\ud83c\udfc1 (@KnicksFanTv) March 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>