It is going to take some time before it all comes together for Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the former thinks it might even require the latter to get mad at him.
“It might take a time where Giannis might have to get mad at me over something,” Lillard said. “Something’s got to happen for you to really start to learn who we are and how we come together. So, obviously, that is going to take time.”
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Lillard says it’s only after you go through some adversity and difficult situations together that you come closer. It is never all roses and sunshine and there are going to be some growing pains along the way. It’s in those tough moments that you get to know who the other person really is, and it brings you together.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Doesn’t Think He’s Ever Going To Be Mad At Damian Lillard
While Lillard wouldn’t necessarily have an issue if Giannis ever gets mad at him, it appears it isn’t something the seven-time All-Star would have to contend with. Antetokounmpo was told about the 33-year-old’s comments, and he doesn’t think it’ll ever happen.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to be mad at him,” Antetokounmpo said. “What he does for this team is so much that you can never be upset. What he does, just by him being out there, he creates so much attention. It makes our game easier. Malik (Beasley) gets open shots. Brook (Lopez) gets easy shots, by him basically doing nothing, just walking around, just being Damian Lillard.”
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Giannis suggested it might be the opposite of what Lillard suggested, with the superstar point guard demanding that he speak up. Antetokounmpo says he looks up to Lillard and is trying to learn from him.
Darvin Ham Warned The Rest Of The NBA About Antetokounmpo And Lillard
The first game together for Giannis and Lillard came on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Antetokounmpo played just the first half and finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks.
Lillard, meanwhile, played a bit in the second half as well and ended the night with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. The Milwaukee Bucks won 108-97 and Lakers head coach Darvin Ham was impressed by what he saw. Ham also issued a warning about the Antetokounmpo-Lillard duo.
“Best of luck to everyone else, the other 28 teams besides from ourselves that have to figure out how to stop that. I’m just happy we only have to see them twice in the regular season.”
For an opposing coach to say something like that so openly, speaks to how special these two can be. They are just a perfect fit with each other, and opposing coaches are going to have a very difficult time figuring out how to solve this huge problem.
Unless the injury bug strikes, I think the Bucks are going to win it all. It is going to take time for them to fully integrate Lillard into the setup, but they have plenty of it.
I expect the Bucks to pick up a head of steam in the second half of the season and roll on into the playoffs. They will face resistance from the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, but I think they’re just better than both those teams with Lillard.
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