Former UConn guard says Milwaukee Bucks ‘not satisfied’ with NBA Cup title: ‘We’re just getting started’

After starting the season 2-8, the Milwaukee Bucks have resurrected themselves under coach Doc Rivers.

The Bucks won the second iteration of the Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday night, toppling the favorite Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81. Giannis Antetokounmpo went for a triple-double of 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, and Damian Lillard added 23 points.

Each Bucks player earned $514,971 for the title.

“I want to make sure I get my mom a very nice Christmas present this year,” former UConn guard Andre Jackson Jr. told Marca.com. “Best Christmas ever.”

But Jackson says the Bucks are “not satisfied” and want to pursue an actual NBA championship next spring and summer.

“I’m very happy, I’m happy to have won something already,” he said. “But I’m not satisfied, I still want more.”

The favored Thunder were outscored 51-15 from beyond the arc and shot just 34%.

ESPN’s Seth Greenberg credited Jackson for playing solid defense.

“Andre Jackson has changed their defense, you’re talking about guys from UConn,” he said on SportsCenter. “He’s 6-6, can defend point guards, did a good job on SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), 3-for-12 when he was the primary defender.

“They just compete so hard on the defensive end. They struggled early in the season, but they’ve improved and they’re going to get better.”

Giannis, who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021, said the job is not done.

“Job is not done,” he said.

Said Jackson: “I think it just brings us back together in the understanding that we can win something together. I think that’s very powerful for a team.”

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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter covering Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his website at ZAGSBLOG.com.