Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard is currently in a tight race with Atlanta Hawks stud Trae Young for the fifth starting spot in the Eastern Conference NBA All-Star squad. The third and final fan returns were released on Thursday, which had Dame ranked third among East backcourt players behind Young and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers.
Only two backcourt players will be included in the starting five.
Milwaukee Bucks Coach Adrian Griffin Speaks Out on Damian Lillard’s All-Star Credentials
If you ask Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin, he has no doubt in his mind that Lillard deserves to earn his first-ever career start for the upcoming 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indiana:
“He’s definitely earned it,” Griffin said, via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “In my opinion, he’s earned it. It’s not even a question. We have the second-best record in the East and he’s a big reason. Obviously Giannis is gonna be a starter but Dame definitely deserves it.”
Lillard will be on the All-Star team this year. There’s no longer any doubt about that. What remains to be determined, however, is whether he will finally get to start in his eighth appearance in the squad.
Griffin Campaigning for Third Bucks All-Star
Giannis Antetokounmpo is definitely going to be a starter yet again. In fact, the former back-to-back MVP leads the entire NBA for the most votes from the fans. He’s also going to be the East captain yet again this year.
For Coach Griff, however, there should be a third All-Star for Milwaukee:
“Brook (Lopez), with his defense, I think you have to put value on defense and he’s strong on both sides of the ball,” Griffin said. “He’s very versatile. You see the three that he made vs. (Sacramento) and the way he protects the rim. I think he’s having a stellar year.
“… I think we need three or four guys representing the Bucks in the (all-star game. But Dame is definitely, hands down, deserving of being an all-star.”
The fourth guy Griffin is referring to is Khris Middleton, although even Bucks fans would agree that the three-time All-Star just hasn’t done enough this season to deserve a call-up.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
