Transferred from the Blazers to the Bucks at the end of September, Damian Lillard finally experienced his baptism of fire with Milwaukee. The watch leader played his first official match with his new team.
For the in-house stats sheet for this meeting, click here.
It will probably take us a few matches to really get used to this image but it at least has the merit of being anchored in our minds from now on. Damian Lillard in a green jersey on an NBA floor, playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. A star-studded duo who should put the Bucks back at the top of the NBA in 2024. For the first association of the two superstars, Adrian Griffin (Milwaukee coach) had chosen an appropriate scene, that of Hollywood and the Staples Center.
And otherwise, that’s all well and good, but what did Damian Lillard’s first minutes with Milwaukee look like? History will remember that Dame Dolla’s first basket for the Bucks was a 3-point iso.
DAME’S FIRST BASKET AS A BUCK ????
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/XVmMBQtNpk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 15, 2023
In 22 minutes on the floor, Lillard collected 14 points, 3 assists and 3 interceptions, with a skill not yet there. We especially felt a Lillard in discovery, who did not want to force too much and who tried to play simple for his first. There are automatisms to be created with teammates and combinations that will gradually be put in place.
We are thinking in particular of the Lillard – Antetokounmpo combo on pick-and-roll and the discrepancies that this can create for the many shooters present with the Bucks.
First look at Damian Lillard and Giannis in P&R. Two on the ball. Look at the rotation from the weakside *and* Prince on the strong side. pic.twitter.com/IBq67o9fa5
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) October 15, 2023
As for the match in general, we had a pleasant first half to watch, with an excellent Anthony Davis on both sides of the field to face Giannis. Darvin Ham having decided to open his bench widely upon returning from the locker room, Milwaukee then took control of the match thanks to the presence of several of its executives (including Lillard who played half of the third quarter before leaving). We were treated to some highlights including Jaxson Hayes who sent a big tomar on Robin Lopez’s face.
The end of the match was an opportunity for the two coaches to rotate again to offer minutes to young people or players less present at the start of the preseason. The Lakers will play their last preseason game this Thursday at home against the Suns while the Bucks still have two games to play. Face the Thunder this Tuesday then against the Grizzlies Friday. The opportunity undoubtedly for Damian Lillard to get his bearings a little more within the Milwaukee collective before the resumption.
2023-10-16 01:45:00
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