Milwaukee Bucks star point guard Damian Lillard will always be known for his offense first before his abilities on the other end of the court.
While that may be true, it doesn’t mean the future Basketball Hall of Famer isn’t trying to become a much better defensive player. Lillard takes pride in his defense amid the the persistent criticism, which he made clear with a strong statement he shared recently.
(h/t HoopsHype)
“In the last couple years of my career, it’s been something that I’ve taken pride in,” Lillard said of his defense.
“I think early in my career, like most young players, especially scoring young players, it’s a learning curve defensively. Not just physically, but when you don’t know terminology, you don’t really know personnel that well, it’s a challenge to be a good defender in the NBA. And as I’ve become more experienced, I think it’s carried on as more of a narrative than actual truth. Guys not just coming out here breaking me off and putting me out there and scoring on me over and over.
For what it’s worth, Lillard averaged 0.9 steals per game and compiled a defensive rating of 116 through the Bucks’ first 21 games in the 2024-25 NBA regular season. As a team, the Bucks are 14th in the NBA overall with 112.5 points allowed per contest and sixth with a 52.6 defensive effective field goal percentage over the same stretch.
In any case, the Bucks are paying Lillard for his ability to get buckets more than anything else he brings to the table. Entering Friday’s game against the Boston Celtics, the 34-year-old Lillard is averaging 25.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per contest while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 37.7 percent from behind the arc.
Nov 30, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) directs the offense while bringing the ball up court against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
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