Damian Lillard is relishing the prospect of playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo after the pair showed instant chemistry in the Milwaukee Bucks’ opening pre-season game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lillard joined the Bucks from the Portland Trail Blazers last month in a trade that also included the Phoenix Suns and will now form a dynamic partnership with two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo.
The early signs were certainly encouraging as the Bucks beat the Lakers 108-97.
Antetokounmpo scored 16 points in 15 minutes on seven-for-10 shooting with the Lakers opting to double up on Lillard, who managed 14 points on three-for-10 shooting with four steals and three assists.
Lillard said of his new team-mate: “He can dominate a game and win you a game.
“On the first couple of plays, they blitz me and the guy I am releasing the ball to is Giannis! So, I’m like, ‘uh, we can so this all night’.
“We’re going to have a lot of options. There are going to be times where he’s willing to make the play for me and vice-versa, as we saw today.”
Damian Lillard is relishing the prospect of playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo after the pair showed instant chemistry in the Milwaukee Bucks’ opening pre-season game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lillard joined the Bucks from the Portland Trail Blazers last month in a trade that also included the Phoenix Suns and will now form a dynamic partnership with two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo.
The early signs were certainly encouraging as the Bucks beat the Lakers 108-97.
Antetokounmpo scored 16 points in 15 minutes on seven-for-10 shooting with the Lakers opting to double up on Lillard, who managed 14 points on three-for-10 shooting with four steals and three assists.
Lillard said of his new team-mate: “He can dominate a game and win you a game.
“On the first couple of plays, they blitz me and the guy I am releasing the ball to is Giannis! So, I’m like, ‘uh, we can so this all night’.
“We’re going to have a lot of options. There are going to be times where he’s willing to make the play for me and vice-versa, as we saw today.”
Antetokounmpo was equally enthusiastic and hailed Lillard as much for his impact off the court as on it during his short time in Milwaukee.
He said: “I feel like it’s like a little version of me. A guard version.
“He’s quiet, goes about his business, takes care of his family, shows up, practices really hard, helps his team-mates when he needs to be vocal. And when the game starts, he’s just a killer.
“He knows how to play this game. He puts himself in position to be successful. He helps us and puts me in position to be successful.”
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin was pleased with the early impact of his two superstars.
“Today was a great first step in the right direction,” he said.
“You can see those guys love playing together already. And not just Dame and Giannis, but everyone was just pulling for each other.”
Antetokounmpo was equally enthusiastic and hailed Lillard as much for his impact off the court as on it during his short time in Milwaukee.
He said: “I feel like it’s like a little version of me. A guard version.
“He’s quiet, goes about his business, takes care of his family, shows up, practices really hard, helps his team-mates when he needs to be vocal. And when the game starts, he’s just a killer.
“He knows how to play this game. He puts himself in position to be successful. He helps us and puts me in position to be successful.”
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin was pleased with the early impact of his two superstars.
“Today was a great first step in the right direction,” he said.
“You can see those guys love playing together already. And not just Dame and Giannis, but everyone was just pulling for each other.”
