‘Never seen that’: Giannis in awe of ‘insane’ act as NBA’s new superteam launches — NBA Wrap
Damian Lillard made a triumphant NBA pre-season debut for the Milwaukee Bucks, combining effectively with Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 108-97 street victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lillard, a seven-time All-Star guard traded from Portland to the Bucks final month, scored 14 factors with three steals, three assists and two rebounds in 22 minutes on the courtroom.
The 33-year-old Tokyo Olympic gold medallist sank 3-of-10 photographs from the ground, 2-of-7 from 3-point vary, and all six of his free throws.
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“I felt great. It’s always a little bit of rust in the beginning but the game was very simple,” Lillard stated.
“It was a matter of getting my wind up, just getting into the rhythm. They came out blitzing me in the beginning so it woke me up. It was just good to be back out on the floor.”
Greek celebrity heart Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 16 factors and eight rebounds in simply over quarter-hour on the courtroom and blended effectively with new teammate Lillard within the first sport pairing of two of the NBA’s prime 5 scorers from final season, every netting greater than 31 factors a sport.
“I’ve been on the floor with them a decent amount over the last two weeks so I feel comfortable,” stated Lillard of working together with his new teammates.
“I think my game complements the guys really well so it has been seamless. It hasn’t been hard at all. Now it’s just a matter of being able to play other teams and getting used to each other and how we’re going to operate out there.”
Antetokounnmpo was thrilled with the quantity of area he had, significantly after Lillard was double-teamed from the opening tip.
“I’ve never seen someone double teamed on the 1st play of the game. It was a surprise. It’s a preseason game. Not a playoff game, not a regular season game, not an in-season tournament game… It’s insane,” he stated.
The Lakers, enjoying with out celebrity LeBron James, had been led by 16 factors and 7 rebounds from Anthony Davis.
Lillard was happy that he was in a position to play a cushty and acquainted sport regardless of new teammates and restricted minutes.
“I made the same plays I always make,” he stated. “I loosen up the defence. I make the right plays then I find my spots and I get aggressive in moments throughout the game. That’s what I did tonight.
“Shorter minutes. First game out here. I felt good. We’ll just keep building on that.”
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It has helped that most of the Bucks’ offensive schemes had been the identical as Milwaukee assistant coach Terry Stotts used when he was the pinnacle coach at Portland from 2012-2021 when Lillard performed for the Trail Blazers.
“A lot of what we do offensively is what I did with him for nine years so it has been pretty simple as far as that adjustment,” Lillard stated.
Lillard stated his purpose within the run-up to the Bucks’ 2023-24 season opener on October 26 at dwelling in opposition to Philadelphia is regular enchancment.
“Just to keep building,” Lillard stated. “I think it’s just one step at a time, enjoy the process and come in and just keep building and keep building throughout the season. That’s all we can control.”
Lillard and Antetokounmpo are constructing a chemistry that Milwaukee followers hope can produce a second NBA crown in 4 seasons.
“It has been very solid,” Lillard stated of his bond with the Bucks’ massive man. “It has been simple. I don’t think I have, and I don’t think he has either, gone into it overly trying to piece everything together.
“I think our personalities mesh well. Our styles of play mesh well. Everything else has just happened organically in time and we’ve got to allow that space to happen.”
NBA SCORES
Thunder 115, Hornets 117
Grizzlies 124, Heat 132
Cairns Taipans 93, Raptors 134
Bucks 108, Lakers 97
Bulls 102, Nuggets 116
Warriors 121, Kings 115 (OT)
