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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo knows Damian Lillard will do whatever it takes to win an NBA title.
While Lillard has struggled since arriving in Milwaukee in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, Antetokounmpo expressed the team’s support for the superstar guard while speaking with Sports Illustrated. Chris Mannix.
“I know Lady…what, he came here to lose?” » Antetokounmpo said. “He didn’t come here to lose. I think this guy is one of the worst bastards in the world. When he operates, we’re all behind him. We give him that confidence to lead; he’s one one of the toughest guys in the league. And that’s what we need from him.
Antetokounmpo and Lillard, in particular, have struggled to create chemistry to start the season.
Antetokounmpo has long been the leader in Milwaukee, but the addition of Lillard gave the franchise two superstar players who love to have the ball in their hands, score and make plays.
Despite the struggles, the duo managed to keep the Bucks among the top title contenders in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee is second in the East with a 44-24 record heading into Wednesday’s game against the first-place Boston Celtics.
Both players were also able to carve out a niche in their roles throughout the season, thanks in part to a streamlined approach from head coach Doc Rivers, who was hired after the first-year coach was fired Adrian Griffin in January.
Antetokounmpo, who was ruled out of Wednesday’s game against Boston due to a left hamstring injury, is averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 64 games, all shooting 61.6 percent from the ground and 29.2 percent from deep.
Lillard, meanwhile, is averaging 24.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 63 games while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from deep.
These numbers are down across the board for Lillard, but it’s important to recognize that he’s no longer the only leader on the court like he was in Portland. He is learning to coexist with Antetokounmpo.
After 11 seasons in Portland that included eight playoff appearances and no championship ring to show for his efforts, Lillard still believes he will one day achieve the ultimate goal of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
“When things like that start happening, I start to think there’s a payoff coming,” Lillard told Mannix. “Because I do things the right way. I don’t change. Some things take time. Especially the most rewarding things.”
