Giannis Antetokounmpo

One is a long man with superhuman talent and physical condition, and the other is a good player with explosive scoring ability. When Lillard joined the Milwaukee Bucks, this seemed like a perfect combination. Why was it so difficult to leave?

When Damian Lillard comes to Indiana for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, he just wants to win. Maybe some star players want to rest or gain some exposure, but Lillard just wants to win. He wants to defend the three-point shooting contest championship and win the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, and he quickly showed his intention. Heart.

In the three-point contest, Lillard defeated other outstanding shooters and won the championship again. In the All-Star Game, he participated as a starter for the first time and scored 39 points and 6 assists, beating Tyrese Haliburton of the landlord Pacers. The MVP trophy (also booed by Pacers fans), including the All-Star Game individual championship and MVP, is the first achievement achieved by anyone since Michael Jordan in 1988.

In the All-Star Game, Lillard not only showed his active ambition, but also used his signature weapon of long-distance shooting. He hit two outside shots from close to midfield, as easily as free throw line jumpers. Even top outside shooters Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry were amazed.

Also surprised was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who saw all this on the bench.

“I thought to myself: ‘X, that’s my teammate.’ I’m very happy that he’s on the same team with me now, and I’m very happy with his performance on the court.” Antetokounmpo said with a smile, as if remembering when he learned that Lillard was The excitement of being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

For Lillard and Antetokounmpo, this All-Star Game weekend is not only a stage for them to show off their skills, but also a chance to breathe, allowing them to temporarily leave other teammates and have more time to talk and interact with each other and talk about the team. The current situation and the future, and how they can help each other become stronger, and they can also see what each other looks like in the eyes of other star players. It sounds like they still need a reminder.

But the deal that brought Damian Lillard to Milwaukee seemed like a natural progression. At first, Lillard asked the Portland Trail Blazers, who had stayed for 11 seasons, to trade him. His original destination was Miami. However, when the Heat were unable to come up with an exciting offer, Lillard was willing to Keep wearing a Trail Blazers jersey, but Portland is dead set on a trade.

On the other hand, Antetokounmpo revealed in a media interview that he was not sure about the Bucks’ determination to compete for the championship. Although he later added that it was just part of daily dialogue, the Bucks did not dare to be careless at the moment of contract renewal. Decided to find Lillard.

This trade may have a sense of deja vu for general manager Jon Horst and Antetokounmpo. Three years ago in 2020, Antetokounmpo also faced the decision of whether to renew his contract with Milwaukee. At that time, the Bucks traded point guard Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. Antetokounmpo successfully signed a contract, and the Bucks also took The first NBA championship in the next 50 years, now faced with a similar situation, the Bucks once again used trading methods, but this time they sent away Holiday, but they hope to achieve everyone’s satisfaction again.

When Lillard puts on a Bucks jersey, this is indeed a surprising lineup. He couldn’t help but excitedly recall one of the shots after the first practice. After Antetokounmpo blocked for him, Lillard cut in and Antetokounmpo gestured to the sky, so Lillard threw the basketball into the air as if no one could Antetokounmpo jumped higher than anyone else, grabbed the ball and stuffed it into the hoop without dribbling or stepping.

That’s cheating, Lillard said. He’s never had a teammate with that size and talent who could do those moves. Coupled with the shooters waiting for opportunities on the outside, Lillard said his vision and sense of space on the court are completely different from before.

One is a long man with superhuman talent and physical condition, and the other is a good player with explosive scoring ability. This combination seems to be perfect. During the training camp, head coach Adrian Griffin even said that they are the modern version of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

But when the season started, Lillard and Antetokounmpo found that they still had a lot to adjust and get along with.

Antetokounmpo’s most accustomed pick-and-cut partner in the past was Khris Middleton, but Middleton is 6 feet 7 inches tall. Under Antetokounmpo’s screen, he often shoots from the outside with one or two dribbles. Lillard not only has the ability to shoot from the outside, but also has the ability to shoot from the outside. Better cutting and destructive power requires more space to play.

Lillard’s pick-and-cut offense with LaMarcus Aldridge was his signature weapon when he was with the Trail Blazers, but Aldridge can’t attack off the dribble, and he is equally threatening from outside the three-point line, which can open up more offensive space for Lillard, which is almost completely different from Antetokounmpo. different.

2024-03-12 12:08:57

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