The Milwaukee Bucks preseason basketball season kicks off on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls, and new faces are still getting acclimated to their new surroundings. This season could be huge for the Bucks, especially after acquiring Damian Lillard. Lillard has been a huge drive behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s hunger and motivation to stay with the team and be successful.
“I need Dame to be Dame on 100 steroids.”
Giannis spoke with SiriusXM NBA radio, where he expressed how he’s ready to support Lillard and wants him to be a strong force defensively this season.
“I need Dame to be Dame on 100 steroids. What he did in Portland, I need him to be extra aggressive…play with more chips on his shoulder,” said Giannis. “(Even for me) what I did here for the last couple of years, I have to do the same.”
Damian Lillard has ignited this new flame under Giannis. He says he’s locked in, has to be on point, says when you have a guy like Damian Lillard next to you, you have to be ready to play at your best, and be locked into the game.
“I feel like I’m way more locked in…when you have a guy like Dame next to you, you have to be ready”
Giannis talks to @TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine about his newest teammate
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— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 6, 2023
“I have to give my best, and be on that level every single day I’m next to him,” Giannis said. “But at the end of the day, I feel like people like Dame bring out the best in you.”
The Lillard Effect on the Bucks
Funny enough, Lillard said in a previous interview that he needs to be more locked in when he’s playing next to Giannis.
“I gotta be more locked in ‘cuz Giannis is right next to me.”
Since coming to Milwaukee, there’s been a change in the atmosphere, according to Giannis. All of Lillard’s new teammates feel this feeling of needing to be locked in, ready to play their best game.
“He brings out the best of both worlds and not only us because it’s a domino effect.”
When you have players like Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and even Bobby Portis on the team, there’s that sense of wanting to be the best version of yourself that you’re able to produce out on the court.
Antetokounmpo also believes that Lillard could be that missing puzzle piece the Bucks have been looking for to create a brand new legacy and dynasty.
It’s time for Milwaukee to bring home another championship, and having the duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court might be the solution that wins the title.
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