In a chat with Candace Parker, star point guard Damian Lillard opened up on a range of topics from his development as a player to his move to the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Lillard, his ability to rise in the clutch comes from living with the consequences of his performance – whatever they may be.
“It’s like a healthy fear. For me, I’ve been able to be so great at the end of games because I made my mind up a long time ago that if I do something great and we win, then I can handle it, being successful is not going to make me change. And if I do something wrong – I miss the shot or my shot might get blocked, I can also live with that. I think that’s how I’m able to stay dangerous in those moments.”
Lillard is one of the most clutch players in NBA history and is the only player to make multiple series-winning buzzer-beaters. He’s so dominant in the clutch that the end of the fourth quarter is tagged as “Dame time.”
He also spoke on his partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, which he says is growing game by game.
“Last year was kind of like the learning part for me, kind of trying to figure out how I can be a complement to him, a 2x MVP, a champion, the most dominant player,” said Lillard. “Then I came back into this year with a much better understanding of him and a better version of myself. Just trying to find those spots where he’s gonna need somebody to lean on. Me being older than him, how can I ever be a vet to him at times? I came in with that type of mentality, knowing like he’s gonna need me in some of these ways and I have to be able to provide that for him.”
Lillard, 34, spent his first 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before forcing his way out to pursue a championship. He wanted to go to the Heat at first, but Dame had to settle for Milwaukee after the Bucks struck a deal.
In his first season with Giannis, Lillard struggled to adjust and his efficiency dropped to some of the worst of his career. To make matters worse, the Bucks became the NBA’s most disappointing team after finishing third in the East (49-33).
Behind the scenes, Lillard was dealing with divorce and he was distracted as he was trying to adapt to his new surroundings. Meanwhile, injuries plagued the Bucks, which ultimately led to an early playoff exit in the first round.
This season, with averages of 25.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 45.3% shooting, Lillard is having a much better campaign and the Bucks are looking increasingly dangerous at 36-28 this season (5th in the East).
Unless the Bucks make a run in the playoffs, however, fans will always look at their partnership as a massive disappointment. Together, Lillard and Giannis are expected to win and after losing their third straight game on Tuesday, there are doubts that they have what it takes.
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