For the NBA’s first-ever in-season tournament, the Milwaukee Bucks will have a chance to advance to the final round with a win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night. Hours before tip-off, Bucks star Damian Lillard snuck a peak at what he’s fighting for and didn’t hold back on feeling out the trophy even as reporters warned against it.
Dame had the reporter gasping. 😂 pic.twitter.com/rOtYf89pAp
— theScore (@theScore) December 7, 2023
This tournament is new ground for everybody, but especially so for Lillard, who is also playing in his first season away from Portland. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dame is facing his best odds yet at a title and there is no question that his goal is to capture the Larry O’Brien this June. In the meantime, however, why not go all-in for the IST championship and break the seal on a resume that lacks team success? Lillard obviously recognizes the opportunity, which is why he was caught staring at the trophy in awe, but many fans have doubts that Lillard and the Bucks can actually pull it off and outlast the top-level competition.
Bucks Star Gets Roasted By The Fans
Damian Lillard is arguably one of the highest-intensity competitors in the league and he achieved great things in 11 years with the Trail Blazers. One thing he lacks, however, is a successful playoff run and that fact is not lost on the fans. On social media, Dame’s moment with the in-season trophy went viral as X users responded with brutal jokes and memes.
closest bro will ever get to a ring 😂 pic.twitter.com/HG7J64GqBo
— AI Knows Ball (@aiKnowsBall) December 7, 2023
Some fans even pointed back to Lillard’s stint with Team USA, when Draymond Green had to show him how to pop champagne.
Never forget draymond had to teach him how to pop champagne cause he’d never won 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Mxr6nAuzlE
— OriginalXXIX 🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@OriginalXXIX) December 7, 2023
Lillard’s best winning season was in 2019 when he led the Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals, where they were swept by the Warriors dynasty. Lillard hasn’t been past the first round since, and fans are not convinced that will change this year.
Only trophy he’ll ever touch
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) December 7, 2023
Only time will how this season plays out for Milwaukee, but they should not be dismissed from the tournament this year. Despite some concerning signs on both ends of the floor, the Bucks are still the most talented team remaining and nobody should be shocked if they end up winning the whole event.
Now Or Never For Damian Lillard
At 33 years old, time is running out for Damian Lillard to capture a championship before it’s all said and done and the superstar guard is willing to do whatever it takes to get his team past the finish line as soon as possible. At 15-6, Milwaukee has already established itself as one of the best teams in basketball right now. While Lillard struggled out of the gate, he’s turning a corner this season and is now up to 25.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game on 43% shooting.
The big question for Lillard and the Bucks is what kind of effort we can expect defensively. Historically, Milwaukee has been a defensive juggernaut in the Giannis era but the loss of Jrue Holiday has compromised their perimeter defense. Fortunately, Lillard’s offensive presence has kept the team afloat so far and it’s scary to think what this team could look like when they finally hit their stride and find their chemistry as a unit. Regardless, one way or another, these final in-season tournament games will tell us a lot about the Bucks and where they are as a team at this point in the season.
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