3 Ways Damian Lillard will transform the Bucks in 2023-24

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for portraits during media day on October 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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Way #2: Lillard and Giannis will cause matchup nightmares

Lillard himself told reporters on 0ctober 4th:

"“They’re not gonna allow [Giannis] to come downhill and just dunk every time… Which one are you gonna do? Are you gonna clog up the paint or are you gonna allow me to make 9 threes?” – Damian Lillard"

This kind of says it all. Not only do the Bucks have the best player on the court any given night, they most likely have the two best players on the court. This could be the best duo of players in their primes since Steph and Klay or since LeBron and Wade.

Not only are both Giannis and Lillard in their primes, but they play entirely different positions. This was the reason why Kobe and Shaq won three titles in a row. You clog the paint up, and they kick it out. You focus on the perimeter and stretch the floor, and they make you pay in the paint. The only difference is that Kobe wasn’t playing in the NBA where it’s normal for teams to attempt about 34 threes per game. In fact, when Kobe won his last title in 2002, the average threes shot per team per game was 14.2.

So especially in this high-volume three-point-shooting context, if you let up on the perimeter, Lillard can (as he said himself) hit a ludicrous amount like 9 or 10 threes. Try keeping up with that.

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