The Milwaukee Bucks have flipped the narrative on their 2024-25 NBA season in a matter of weeks. After a weak end to last season and a 2-8 start to open this year, the Bucks have re-established themselves as contenders by going 12-3 in their last 15 games.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard duo are excelling this season, with Giannis revealing the reason behind their new success to ESPN’s Mallika Andrews.
“We’re able to sacrifice more. Last year, a lot of people put a lot of expectation on us to be Kobe [Bryant] & Shaq, Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] & Magic [Johnson], and we were together in a room for maybe a week. That’s not possible. Now it’s the second year of us playing together and with time, our relationship got better, our chemistry got better, and our connection has got better. I’m very happy.”
"We're able to sacrifice more… Last year, a lot of people put a lot of expectation to us to be Kobe [Bryant] & Shaq, Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] & Magic [Johnson]. … Our chemistry got better."
Giannis on playing with Damian Lillard this year vs. last year.pic.twitter.com/899Mvw0GGE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 17, 2024
The Bucks have made it to the Emirates NBA Cup Finals and are facing the OKC Thunder for the trophy. The score is 51-50 in the Bucks’ favor at halftime, with the result hanging in the middle still.
Giannis is averaging 32.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season, on pace to repeat his historic feat of averaging over 30 points on better than 60% from the field. Lillard is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, looking like he’s in better shape than last season, and has adjusted well to the Bucks after a season of awkward play.
Giannis has played some of his best basketball, especially offensively, in the last two seasons, so the Bucks’ No. 1 option still performs at the level of a Finals MVP. Lillard has better production and efficiency this season than last, and this could be the perfect No. 2 option role for him alongside a dynamic frontcourt star like Giannis.
This season started with Giannis in trade rumors as the Bucks look like a potential lottery team in the weak East. With the Bucks having no long-term assets to their name, it seemed like a Giannis trade would be the only way for the franchise to build to a new future, but that sentiment has wildly shifted.
Shams Charania has confirmed that the Bucks will not trade Giannis this season, with their renewed competitive focus likely playing a part.
“There will be no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this season. Between the Cup & moving forward… his priority is putting himself in a position where he can have long-term sustained winning wherever that may be. Right now, it’s Milwaukee.”
"There will be no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this season. Between the Cup & moving forward… his priority is putting himself in a position where he can have long-term sustained winning wherever that may be. Right now, it's Milwaukee."
—Shams Charaniapic.twitter.com/uTLC1vgCgR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 18, 2024
Giannis getting traded was a far-reaching scenario from the moment it had been brought up earlier this season, with the Bucks’ recent success ensuring that the Greek superstar is content with his current situation. A Giannis trade would likely wreck the receiving team’s depth anyway, so Giannis would have a major load to carry on a new franchise. Might as well stick with doing that for the Bucks.
A championship will be hard to earn for the Bucks, but with a duo like Giannis and Lillard, anything can be possible depending on the form of both. This season, they’ve looked like a great duo with the potential to challenge for a title.
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