Dame Time took a somber tone after a loss to the New York Knicks.
Damian Lillard is among the headliners of the Milwaukee Bucks’ dismal begin to the 2024-25 season, exacerbated by a 116-94 loss to the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard on Friday evening. Lillard was one of many relative shiny spots (19 factors with six rebounds and assists every), however the frustration could have boiled over after the sport when Lillard was requested if he fell to a staff like New York .
“They seem to be a good staff. I imply, it isn’t like we went on the market and performed in opposition to the [Miami] Warmth up when LeBron [James] I have been there,” Lillard stated, by Kristian Winfield of the New York Each day Information. “They made some modifications. They have been a superb staff final 12 months. They’re a superb staff this 12 months.”
Lillard did not say precisely what prompted such a comparability, however presumably he was evaluating the Knicks’ offseason to Miami’s in 2011. Throughout that summer season, the Warmth added James and Chris Bosh to type a formidable triumvirate with Dwyane Wade. Their four-year collaboration resulted in two NBA titles and two extra NBA Finals appearances.
Whereas not producing as a lot hype because the acquisitions of Bosh and James, the Knicks have been seen by some as a high challenger to Boston’s Japanese crown by including the providers of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities to a staff led by Jalen Brunson. .
Even when the Knicks fail to succeed in James’ championship heights in South Seashore, Friday’s sport prompt that Lillard is just about in no place to evaluate: Milwaukee has by no means led at MSG and has fell behind by as much as 30 factors earlier than the benches emptied. Past Lillard and his franchise colleagues Giannis Antetokounmpono Buck reached double figures past rookie Tyler Smith, who scored 10 with the sport lengthy determined. Cities and Bridges mixed for 49 factors, with the previous securing a double-double for the seventh straight sport with 32 and 11 rebounds.
The reeling Bucks (2-7) are off to their worst begin because the 2013-14 marketing campaign and are 21-30 since head coach Doc Rivers took over simply earlier than the season’s midway level final (together with a six-game loss to the Indiana Pacers within the first spherical of the final playoffs).
