Pairing Damian Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo should create plenty of scoring opportunities for the rest of the Bucks‘ offense, writes Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Both players averaged better than 30 points per game last season, so while they’ll have to figure out how to mesh their talents, they provide plenty of individual firepower.
Lillard is a reliable shot maker who will cause opponents to be more reluctant about sagging into the lane to guard Antetokounmpo. Outside shooters Malik Beasley, Pat Connaughton and A.J. Green should all get better looks by playing alongside Lillard, Owczarski notes, while Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis become more dangerous in pick-and-pop actions.
Exchanging Jrue Holiday for Lillard will lead to a drop-off defensively, but Owczarski points out that new head coach Adrian Griffin is installing a system that emphasizes help. With Antetokounmpo and Lopez protecting the rim, the Bucks may be able to cover up Lillard’s shortcomings on defense.
There’s more from Milwaukee:
- The Bucks sent Grayson Allen to Phoenix in the three-team deal, leaving them with 14 guaranteed contracts and the ability to make a roster addition, Owczarski adds. He notes that the team doesn’t have a reserve point guard with a guaranteed deal, so that might be a priority. Backups Lindell Wigginton and TyTy Washington both have two-way contracts. Milwaukee doesn’t control any of its first-round picks until 2031, so it will be difficult to improve the roster through any more trades.
- Hundreds of fans waited for hours outside Fiserv Forum on Saturday for a chance to welcome Lillard to Milwaukee, according to Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports. Lillard acknowledged the crowd, but he didn’t say anything as he walked inside to meet his new team. The Bucks posted a video of Lillard taking a few shots inside the arena.
- Holiday offered a farewell message on Instagram after the trade became official, per JR Radcliffe of The Journal-Sentinel. “Thank you fans! For those who know me best, they know we are all about family,” Holiday wrote. “Milwaukee — you welcomed me and my family into your city, into your homes, into your hearts. We will forever be champions together, and me and my family will forever be grateful and thankful. Until next time, thanks for everything.”
This is going to be a fun team to watch!
Ish Smith Just won a championship. He could Help train the two young PGs. If you look at their team plus summer league guys, they have three young PGs, a young SG they drafted this year, a young SF from last year’s draft, a young PF in the second rd this year but no young C. Sign a veteran PG and a young center and they are set.
Sign Kotas and Alex
Blazers trade Holiday for Brogdon, Pritchard, fillers
and 2 Firsts
then trade Brogdon, Pritchard to Clippers for Garbage and 2 Firsts
Blazers get new 4 first round picks.
Isn’t that wonderfool?
Brogdon and pritchard is not getting u 2 firsts. Maybe a top 20 protected first
Just spam pick and rolls with Lillard and Giannis. If you sag off Lillard he drops a bomb, if you fight through they got Giannis rolling to rim in at worst a one on one. If all else fails just kick it Lopez for the 3 or Middleton to restart the sequence.
MIL will have a great half court offense, great inside D, ave or below 3P D, and a suspect bench. Is that enough? I think it is enough to reach the finals.
If it is Milwaukee v Phoenix …. Giannis gets to see if Nurkic can keep him from dropping 50 every game.
I see why the Blazers and Bucks made the deal. However, I’m not sure why the Sun’s gave up on Ayton. Sun’s are in win now mode. Sun’s didn’t get enough back in the deal. I like Ayton and would have traded Randle for him.
Bucks will be a second Rd exit.
Heat have their number. Lillard doesn’t change anything, if anything makes it easier. Spo will just treat him like they did Kemba in 2020. Zone with a half court trap. Force him to give up the ball early to Giannis for outside Jumpers. Bricks. Push ball attack Lillard on the fastbreak all day long.
Celtics will light them up with Holiday. Lillard may drop 30-35, but he’s going to give up 50.
If they play Cleveland, Mitchell going to annihilate Lillard. Retire his overrated azz.
Hard to say what Philly will look like at this point, but the only way MIL gets past the second round is by avoiding those three teams, and maybe Philly