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    You are here Home » Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Biggest Surprise From Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks Debut
    Bucks

    Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Biggest Surprise From Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks Debut

    Paolo SongcoBy Paolo SongcoOctober 16, 2023No Comments4 Mins Read
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    Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
    Feb 8, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) watches game action agianst the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports (NBA News, NBA Rumors)
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    There weren’t too many surprises from the Milwaukee Bucks’ preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. We all knew coming in that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were going to make their respective preseason debuts, and they pretty much did on the court what everybody expected them to, which is to dominate.

    It was a limited run for Milwaukee’s two superstars, but there’s no denying that it was a good first step for the Bucks.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo Surprised by Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks Debut

    Milwaukee Bucks Damian Lillard
    Oct 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts with Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince (12) in the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

    Giannis spoke to reporters after the game and naturally, he had more than a few things to say about his new running mate’s first game as a Buck. One thing, in particular, stood out for the former back-to-back MVP. According to Antetokounmpo, he totally did not expect the Lakers to blitz Lillard from the get-go:

    “I’ve been with the Bucks, this is my 11th season,” Giannis said. “I’ve never seen from the first play of the game, somebody being double-teamed. It was a surprise. It’s a preseason game. It’s not a playoff game. It’s not a regular-season game. It’s not an in-season tournament game or a play-in game. It’s a preseason game.”

    Not even Giannis himself has been double-teamed in literally the first sequence of a preseason game, so he was definitely taken aback by LA’s strategy against Dame.

    USATSI 20176294 scaled
    Mar 8, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

    This just goes to show how much attention Lillard is going to require on offense which naturally, will open up the floor more for Antetokounmpo.

    Antetokounmpo Wants to Return the Favor

    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

    The Bucks brought Lillard in for a reason, and ultimately, that’s to help them win a championship. Giannis has already realized that life is going to be a bit easier for him now that Dame is in the picture. At the same time, though, he also wants to do the same for the former Portland Trail Blazers superstar:

    “He’s a threat,” Giannis said. “Like, coming down from halfcourt he’s already a threat. I’ve never played with a guy like that. I hope I can make the game easy for him as much as he makes it easy for me and our team.”

    “I’ve never played with a player like that.” pic.twitter.com/X7r9d4D1Mf https://t.co/jjX4VNVOkQ

    — Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 16, 2023

    You can’t overlook the bit about Giannis saying that he’s never had the chance to play with a guy like Lillard. This isn’t a knock on any of his former or current teammates. Not at all. As a matter of fact, even the likes of Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton themselves would probably agree with this notion.

    Simply put, Dame is one of one.

    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.

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    Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo 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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