The only player in NBA history to average 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists for 3 seasons. That’s the record Giannis Antetokounmpo is heading towards, with a team back to the winning ways at that. But is there a need for him to get a reality check? Well, that’s what Shaquille O’Neal believes. The former NBA star weighed in on Giannis’ recent performance and Milwaukee Bucks’ chances at the championship during an episode of Inside the NBA.

The discussion on the show started with Ernie Johnson highlighting how The Greek Freak is set to surpass Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson, who averaged 30, 10, and 5 in two seasons. “You know, sometimes, Ernie, even if you’re a great player, sometimes you have to be brought back down to reality,” Shaq chimed in, noting that while Giannis is exceptional, the Bucks are running with a few flaws, needing him to step up. “They [Bucks] started off slow… They’re playing well. He [Giannis] knows what he has to do.”

Further adding to his chain of thought, Big Diesel highlighted the next championship is more of Antetokounmpo’s job and responsibility than Doc Rivers. “It’s his job… to get the guys on track, playing well. And they’ve been doing that. Great player right there. But do they have enough to win the championship? I say no,” O’Neal said.

Charles Barkley, too, completely agreed with Shaquille O’Neal’s opinion of the Bucks’ chances at the championship. “I love this kid [Giannis]… But they got to get more athletic on the perimeter. They have two guys who are athletic and then that’s it…” Barkley said. He emphasized that with their current setup, just one athletic guy, the Bucks won’t be able to beat the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, or the Orlando Magic when they’re healthy.

via Imago

“Dame’s [Damian Lillard] a great player, but he’s not a really athletic guy… The way the game is played, your wing defenders have to be terrific and they don’t have it,” Chuck added. Kenny Smith, however, had a different take on this. He stated the way the Bucks played in recent weeks, which included winning seven games in a row, is “who they are. This is the team you’re gonna have to play come playoff time.”

Smith even countered Barkley’s claim, stating the Bucks even have a chance at beating the Knicks and Celtics. Yes, the Bucks had a terrible 2-8 start to the season, but now they have surged to a 12-11 record. And they’ve won all their games in the Emirates Cup — the rebranded in-season tournament. Despite the potential, however, it’s not just Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley who doubt Giannis’ chances at the championship.

“No fixes”: 55YO sportswriter points out the grave concern with Bucks

When the Bucks had a rough start to the season, it left fans questioning if this team can truly contend for a title. Among some other names, NBA analyst Bill Simmons didn’t think so. In fact, his brutally honest take might hit the Bucks supporters quite hard. Speaking on The Bill Simmons Podcast, the veteran sportswriter didn’t hold back.

“They have an awesome big man, they have an aging offensive star that doesn’t play defense, they have nobody else on the team who could play defense, and they have no bench,” Simmons said. “Unlike the Lakers, there is no fixes… I don’t see any conceivable way that this team is a contender. It’s really rough and with no fixes.” 

Ouch. For a team that just added Damian Lillard to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, that’s not what anyone expected. But Simmons might have a point. Milwaukee has almost nothing to work with for a trade—just one tradable first-round pick in 2031 and a second-rounder. On top of that, they’re over the second apron, meaning they can’t take back extra salary or combine contracts to make deals.

So, where does that leave the Bucks? If you were hoping for a blockbuster trade to fix their defensive woes and lack of depth, think again. It’s not just about their record—it’s about the limited tools they have to improve. Something that Barkley highlighted while agreeing with Shaquille O’Neal’s recent take on the Bucks.