The coming season is a huge one for the Milwaukee Bucks, and it’s just because Damian Lillard promised to perform better.
Giannis Antetokounmpo openly discussed the possibility of getting traded from the team that drafted him in 2013, which rang all the alarms at Fiserv Forum. If you look at how the Bucks approached the past summer, it’s easy to understand why he would feel discouraged about his chances of winning one more title.
Many of the Bucks’ problems would sort itself out if Lillard manages to recapture some of the fantastic form he displayed in his final year with the Portland Trail Blazers. Returning to such conditions would instantly turn Milwaukee into one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference.
While many recognizes his potential to return to such a form, some analysts don’t believe he’s as dangerous as he once was with the latest ranking they gave him. Bucks fans will also hate the ranking they gave him.
ESPN lists Damian Lillard at #23 in Top 100 Players list
ESPN published their list of the best 100 players in the league recently, with some names getting incredible positions.
The sports media company’s top NBA analysts recognize that Lillard is still one of the most effective offensive weapons in the league. However, his dismal performance suggests that the 2013 Rookie of the Year may be on a downward turn of form:
Jamal Collier writes:
Lillard has acknowledged his first season in Milwaukee was not an easy transition. After 11 seasons in Portland, he was traded on the eve of training camp and never found his footing. Lillard averaged 24.3 points and 7.0 assists, which earned him a starting spot in the 2024 All-Star Game. He had some bright moments in Milwaukee, but he was far from the dominant force he had been in years past as he struggled to find his on-court chemistry alongside co-star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Let’s be clear that Lillard’s numbers last season is still great. Not everyone in the league can match the kind of production at 34 years old. However, the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard to become a partner for Giannis, not play second fiddle to his production. Lillard failing to do so would cause great repercussions for everyone.
If Damian Lillard fails to recapture the magic he created in Portland, he might soon find himself shipped to another team as the Bucks would probably be starting a rebuild without Giannis.
