Perilously close to elimination, the Bucks search for more effort and less drama

The walls of the BMO Harris Bradley Center aren't going to be up very much longer considering the Milwaukee Bucks' new arena is nearing completion right next door. But while it's still standing, the Bucks have put themselves in a position where their backs will be firmly pressed against those walls for the foreseeable future.

The Bucks trail the Boston Celtics, 2-0, in their first-round playoff series heading into Friday's 8:30 p.m. game, this postseason's first at the Bradley Center.

"It's really important — we can't lose tomorrow's game," Bucks all-star Giannis Antetokounmpo said after practice Thursday. "Hopefully guys understand that and play hard."

As incomprehensible as it may be, playing hard hasn't been a given for the Bucks thus far in the playoffs. They've been outworked by the Celtics through two games, have turned 50-50 balls into a much less equal opportunity by not fighting for them and have struggled at times to even hustle back on defense.

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Those things are foundational elements of basketball and yet the Bucks collectively haven't held up their end of the bargain.

"What we’ve got going on our end, it’s got nothing to do with playing the game," point guard Eric Bledsoe said. "We’re shooting good percentages but they’re just straight up, I feel like, playing a little bit harder than us right now.”

One particular player whose intensity level has been in question after the first two games is Bucks forward Jabari Parker. Parker played in 31 regular-season games after returning from a torn left ACL, putting up solid numbers over the final six games to nearly average a double-double in April (19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in 31.2 minutes).

Parker then didn't get much action in Game 1, playing 14 ½ minutes in bursts of about four minutes. In Game 2, he was down to about 10 minutes of action. All told, Parker's scored two points on 1 of 7 shooting with six rebounds, one assist and two turnovers over the first two games of the series.

He wore his frustration on his sleeve in Boston, looking unhappy and disengaged on the bench. In the game, his body language and effort level seemed to reflect his mood.

When meeting with reporters Thursday, Parker opened with a mumbled, self-deprecating remark not audible to the whole crowd, saying, “Why you wanna talk to the bum?”

Upon receiving questions, Parker deflected. He said things aren't tough and that he's been through worse. He added that this situation isn't frustrating because he sees "the bigger picture."

As time went on, though, Parker began to open up. He noted how it's hard to play four minutes at a time and how no one would be able to do that. Asked how he could get more he said, "Be on my coach’s good side," before postulating that he might not be there right now.

Soon, the floodgates opened.

“For myself, I just try to be a good teammate," Parker said. "I’m not getting what I want right now but there’s a bigger picture. I think I did a better job the second game. Just to touch and harp on the first game, like, I’m human, right? I deserved to be out there, I earned it. Six games (to close the season) and to see that, like, I’m not going to handle it well.

"I have feelings. I’ve been waiting two years. I’ve been waiting all that time and to see myself get cut short — no one’s going to handle that the right way. I just felt like I was cut short, I wasn’t supported and I’m not going to react the right way. I’m human, I was wrong. But going forward, I’ll just try to be a better person, a better man and be there for my teammates.”

Shortly after Parker's media session, Bucks coach Joe Prunty took center stage. He was made aware of Parker's comments, including that Parker said he wasn't on Prunty's good side and that there had been no communication about how Parker could earn more playing time.

"I don’t know why he would say he isn’t on my good side but I’m sure it’s his minutes," Prunty said. "Everybody wants to play. I get that. Everybody is hungry to be on the court. That’s not new and that’s a good thing. We want everybody to be competitive. We want everybody to step on the floor and be assertive with their games."

In discussing Parker, Prunty emphasized how much the team needs him to make an impact. And when he says that, he made it clear he's talking mostly about defense.

“A guy like Jabari, when he comes into the game, be ready to defend, be ready to rebound, know the schemes, know the systems, know your assignments," Prunty said. "Who are you involved with in a coverage? Is it a pick-and-roll? Is it a DHO (dribble hand-off)? Again, everybody has to help on the boards.

"That’s not just him. But we are giving them multiple opportunities to get points and they’re cashing in on it because we’re not securing those boards. There are a lot of things he can do to help us.”

Parker's teammates have tried to talk to him and help him during what is obviously a difficult time. For Bledsoe, that has meant showing empathy and letting Parker know he's not alone, that he and other veterans have gone through that before.

“I talk to him all the time," Bledsoe said. "I tell him he’s got a long time in this league and you don’t want to waste it on one game. He’s still a talented player, he’s still going to have a lot of time in this league to be one of those great players. Everybody’s been there. I’ve been there before. It’s just one thing he has to shake off, block everything out and stay focused on the main thing.”

For Antetokounmpo, the response was a bit different. Yes, it's important to talk to Parker and tell him how much he's needed. At the same time, the most important thing for the Bucks right now is the playoffs.

"No matter what’s going on you got to stay locked in and do whatever it takes to help the team," Antetokounmpo said before asking how many minutes Parker played in Game 1 and being given an answer of 14.

"I don’t remember that. I remember we lost. That’s what I remember. It’s not about playing time, it’s not about minutes, it’s not about nothing in the playoffs. It’s about just winning. Coming back to your home, protecting that home, hopefully we can get this first one, then work for the second one, then go back there. That’s what it’s all about. 

“A lot of people were frustrated with a lot of things, but as I said these are the playoffs. We don’t have time. Our margin for error is not that big. We don’t have time for that. We’ve got to show up as a team and get this W. I’m frustrated — I’m supposed to shoot the ball more. You know what I’m saying? But I care about winning and once we’re all on the same page I think everything is going to be a lot easier for everybody to play.”

The Bucks are running out of time to get on the same page with only two more games promised them. They can change that this weekend, but it's going to take the best of everyone on the roster regardless of how the minutes are doled out.