MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks are learning to adjust to life after Giannis Antetokounmpo, a complicated process that apparently includes allowing the Cleveland Cavaliers to score 48 points in a single quarter.
Saturday's 136–111 defeat offered another reminder that replacing a franchise superstar involves more than removing his name from the roster and hoping everyone else remembers what to do.
The Bucks actually led 25–24 after the first quarter.
For twelve minutes, the post-Giannis era looked surprisingly manageable.
Then Cleveland scored 48 points in the second, taking a 72–46 halftime lead and turning Milwaukee's rebuilding questions into a live demonstration of everything that still needs fixing.
Evan Mobley finished with 27 points, while Jarrett Allen added 25 points and 11 rebounds. Cleveland shot better than 62 percent in the first half, repeatedly finding opportunities Milwaukee would probably have preferred to keep unavailable.
The Bucks got 19 points from Kel'el Ware, but dropped to 1–5 after another difficult defensive performance.
There is no shame in adjusting after losing a player who defined an entire era of the franchise. Teams need time to redistribute responsibilities, develop chemistry and discover who should handle the possessions once dominated by a former MVP.
But Milwaukee's immediate challenge is considerably less philosophical.
Someone needs to guard the basket.
The Bucks cannot replace Giannis overnight.
They would probably settle for replacing the defense that disappeared after the opening quarter.
