Rich Paul Is Not Worried About Giannis Antetokounmpo And Damian Lillard: 'I Wouldn't Panic About What I'm Seeing...'

The Milwaukee Bucks are easily on the NBA's short list of disappointments this season. But even amid their season-long struggles, Rich Paul still believes that they will figure it out in the end. In a recent chat with Chris Haynes, the NBA super-agent explained why he's not worried about the Bucks and why he sees great success in their future.

"I wouldn't panic about what we've seen, I think it takes a rhythm, just like anything," said Haynes. "And I think that when a guy is coming from a place and is used to playing one way and a guy is currently at a place and is used to playing a specific way, they have to get in a rhythm. One thing I know about both of those guys is they want to win, they are extremely passionate and talented..."

When the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in the fall, many were ready to call Giannis and Lillard the best duo in the league. On paper, that certainly should have been the case with Giannis' interior dominance and Lillard's mastery of the perimeter. But things have not gone smoothly since the big trade and it's been nothing but chaos from day one.

From the departure of assistant coach Terry Stotts during pre-season to the team meeting that forced a defensive change, the signs were there that this team had some major problems. Hiring Doc was supposed to help fix those issues, but the results have been mostly the same so far. In fact, under Doc, the Bucks are having their worst stretch of the season and are just 3-7 over their last 10 games. 

As pressure builds for the Bucks to get it together, all eyes will be on Giannis and Lillard as they attempt to stop the bleeding. But as long as those two stars are healthy and on the same team together, it's hard to rule the Bucks out against any team in the league.

Can The Bucks Turn Their Season Around?

Record-wise, the Bucks are still doing petty well even despite their recent losses. At 35-21 through the first 56 games, they rank 3rd in the East behind the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Against the Timberwolves tonight, they'll have a chance to close the gap in the standings if they can pull off a win against the top team in the West.

According to Rich Paul, the secret to success for the Bucks is utilizing the pick-and-roll and making Giannis a secondary ball handler to create opportunities for the offense.

"Putting Dame and Giannis in a 1-3 or a 1-4 pick and roll and Giannis is rolling and becomes a secondary ball handler I think it makes that team much more dynamic because now you can spray, you got the shooters, you got a guy like Brook Lopez who stretches the floor."

Rich makes it all sound so easy, but the Bucks are still actively trying to figure out the formula that works for them and that's true on both ends of the floor. After even months with Lillard, the Bucks still aren't as efficient as they can be and until they reach that potential, there will always be a reason to doubt their odds against the best teams in the East. But Rich Paul knows better by now than to underestimate the heart of a champion and he's not quite ready to give up on Giannis and his crew.