It’s the “Woj bomb” that almost no one expected. Announced on the Miami side by numerous observers, Damian Lillard, who had explicitly requested his transfer to his management this summer, has finally been heard. Sent to everyone’s surprise to Milwaukee this Wednesday evening, the American superstar, who has been in Portland’s heyday for 11 seasons, is preparing to form an exceptional duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo, crowned MVP (best player) in 2019 and 2020. On paper, their meeting is enough to shake up the hierarchy of the North American league, especially since the Bucks were able to afford the luxury of keeping Khris Middleton to form a team that has everything to do shake the NBA.
It must be said that intrinsically, Giannis and Lillard compile statistics that are simply maddening: 31 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the first; 32 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the second. Or two players who are almost unstoppable offensively, who seem naturally complementary to play at the highest level. Arriving in a stable environment in Milwaukee, the American world and Olympic champion will be able to concentrate on the only unachieved objective of his rich career: seeking his first NBA title, he who has never progressed beyond the conference final.
This is also why Damian Lillard decided to leave his heartfelt franchise behind. After countless appeals to his management to strengthen Portland over the seasons, his patience would have reached its limits when the Blazers decided to draft the young prodigy Scoot Henderson instead of exchanging their 3rd pick of the last draft for a experienced player of great caliber. This transfer within the Bucks superteam has everything of a new start for Lillard, who will be able to concentrate on the pursuit of his Holy Grail in more than comfortable conditions.
Giannis and Lillard have flirted in the past
Because if Damian Lillard had intentionally leaked that he wanted to join Jimmy Butler in Miami, his arrival in Milwaukee may ultimately not be a surprise. Less than a year and a half ago, the leader responded to a tweet asking him the following question: “Which player would you choose to help you get to the Playoffs, or even the NBA Finals?” The answer from the person concerned was clear: “Giannis”. And this exchange on social networks apparently did not fall on deaf ears, because a few weeks later, the Greek champion, captain of the last All-Star Game, decided to make him his first choice in creating his team during the 2023 All-Star Game. In front of a certain… Jrue Holiday, his now ex-teammate, sent to Portland as a bargaining chip in what will certainly remain the biggest transfer of this offseason in the NBA.
This transfer, which will have kept the league in suspense for many weeks, allows Milwaukee to once again become one of the biggest natural favorites for the next NBA title, along with Phoenix (Booker, Beal, Durant). These same Suns, who are also present in this three-way exchange, at the same time recover Jusuf Nurkic (Portland), Grayson Allen (Milwaukee), Nassir Little and Keon Johnson (Portland). For their part, the Blazers, in total reconstruction, will certainly find a base for Jrue Holiday in addition to having recovered Deandre Ayton (Phoenix) and Toumani Camara as well as several first rounds of Draft between 2028 and 2030.
The only small problem that is legitimate to mention: the defensive weakening of the Bucks squad. The losses of Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen, two pit bulls in the back lines, are obviously not compensated by the arrival of Damian Lillard, a “small” 1.88m leader who is very inclined towards the attack. But the Milwaukee staff still has several weeks to try to recover a profile to resolve what could become a big problem when the playoff games begin.
The most impressive duo in the NBA?
By having in its ranks two of the five best scorers of the past season, in addition to Khris Middleton who should recover his former level following his successful operation on his right knee and the pivot Brook Lopez in addition to numerous complementary players who are Pat Connaughton, Bobby Portis or Malik Beasley, Milwaukee seems equipped to ride in the Eastern Conference. Aside from Boston and its armada made up of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and newcomer Kristaps Porzingis, no team seems, at least on paper, capable of competing on this side of the League.
As for the Western Conference, it’s a different story. Because there is no shortage of star duos: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver, LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the Lakers or even Kawhi Leonard and Paul George at the Clippers, all seem likely to at least proclaim themselves as strong as the one composed by Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the latter are perhaps the most complementary.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will play together next season
Credit: Getty Images
“Giannis is someone who attacks the basket. He’s a good playmaker, a good defender… The way he plays is perfect for me. I would bring something that is complementary to what he does, and vice versa, if we have to play together,” confided the new leader of Milwaukee a few months ago. For Giannis, playing with a player as strong offensively as Lillard will be a big novelty.
It remains to be seen whether the new Bucks coach, Adrian Griffin, who replaced Mike Budenholzer following the Bucks’ surprise defeat against Miami in the first round of the last playoffs, will manage to perfect the weapon of mass destruction that he has in his hands. Either way, his star duo wants to go in the same direction: to the NBA title. And it will start on October 26, on the floor of Philadelphia. This first test against Joel Embiid and James Harden will inevitably be scrutinized very, very closely.
2023-09-28 17:12:00
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