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    You are here Home » Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Vocal on Growing Pains After Milwaukee Bucks Debut
    Bucks

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Vocal on Growing Pains After Milwaukee Bucks Debut

    Paolo SongcoBy Paolo SongcoOctober 16, 2023No Comments4 Mins Read
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    Giannis Antetounmpo bucks
    Apr 26, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) after a 128-126 loss to the Miami Heat during game five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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    The Milwaukee Bucks checked off a significant item on their offseason list on Sunday as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both made their much-anticipated debuts for the team. For Giannis, this was his first game back following offseason knee surgery. Lillard, on the other hand, took the floor for the first time in Milwaukee’s colors.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Make Milwaukee Bucks Debut

    Oct 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Brook Lopez (11) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
    Oct 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Brook Lopez (11) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

    Neither Giannis nor Dame played significant minutes on Sunday in the Bucks‘ 108-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Milwaukee supporters were more than happy to see their new superstar pairing finally take the court for the first time.

    Despite their successful debut, Lillard could not help but take a realistic approach in terms of what he expects from his new team this season. Dame has been around long enough to know that it’s not always going to be peaches and cream with the Bucks. Some growing pains are expected along the way, and at this point, he’s already anticipating an imminent clash between himself and Antetokounmpo:

    “It might take a time where Giannis might have to get mad at me over something,” Lillard said with a laugh, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Something’s got to happen for you to really start to learn who we are and how we come together.”

    Mar 10, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
    Mar 10, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

    Lillard knows that adversity is inevitable. He also understands that it’s these trials that are going to make them a better team once they are able to surpass them. It won’t be easy, but Dame, of all people, knows that winning a championship is never a walk in the park.

    Giannis Responds

    USATSI 13898618 scaled
    Jan 11, 2020; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian L (0) grabs a rebound ahead of Milwaukee power forward Giannis (34) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

    Upon hearing about Lillard’s forecast, Giannis responded with a dissenting opinion:

    “I don’t think I’m ever going to be mad at him,” Antetokounmpo said. “What he does for this team is so much that you can never be upset. … What he does, just by him being out there, he creates so much attention. It makes our game easier. … By him basically doing nothing, just walking around, just being Damian Lillard.”

    You love to hear that, but it’s hard to imagine the two stars not having an argument in the not-so-distant future. Not only are they two of the top players in the game today, but their level of competitiveness is also second to none. It’s almost certain that at one point, these two are going to have a spirited discussion about something they don’t agree on.

    That’s not necessarily a bad thing. As Lillard said, it’s what they do after the disagreement that will matter more.

    For More Wisconsin Sports:

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    Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks
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    Paolo Songco
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    Paolo has been covering the NBA for the past seven years. He is from the Philippines and holds a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from the Ateneo de Manila University (2009). Paolo cut his teeth with ClutchPoints, where he established himself as one of the top and most tenured associate editors on the website. Now with Wisconsin Sports Heroics, he is looking to bring his passion and excellent journalism skills to the table.

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