Completely dubbed by the boss since Giannis Antetokounmpo has already made him the first offensive option for the Bucks, Damian Lillard discovers his new teammates and his new team during training.
He also makes up for lost time physically, after admitting to being very tired during the first training camp workouts. because he had played very little this summer. But more than the question of his physique, which will be resolved over time, it is the game that strikes him the most for his debut in Wisconsin.
“ It’s clearly different because there are shooters everywhere on the floor“, does he deliver to The Athletic. “There’s Malik Beasley, Brook Lopez, Jae Crowder, Khris Middleton. There is more space on the field and more options. Usually the defenses were focused on me, and here the guys are really defending, but this is different. Sometimes in my head I wonder if it’s just because we’re in training or because it’s going to be like this now. »
“The way I know, in my head, to dominate a match, and my ability to push myself, I have never played with anyone who made me feel like I could do that as well”
Playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo makes life easier, that’s obvious, especially for a player like Damian Lillard, who has been the center of gravity for the Blazers over the years. And even more so when an All-Star of this level announces that he is stepping aside to let his new teammate shine.
“That’s one of the reasons I was excited when I got traded. I told my agent I was excited because at this point in my career I want to win. And a player this dominant — a two-time MVP, defender of the year, champion — wants to win, too. We are very close on this point: being a good teammate, selfless and doing what is necessary to win. So hearing him say that he was going to screen me is telling me that he wants me to be myself. And I’m not going to come and say that I want to take this number of shots. The more we are on the same wavelength on this subject, the more dominant we will be collectively. »
The playmaker described to our colleagues several situations, notably pick-and-roll, in training where the Greek impressed him with his presence and his athletic qualities.
“ It’s different for me, because it’s a cheat code“, he compares. “I can throw the ball in the air and I have someone who can move his player aside, jump, catch the ball, come back down while staying balanced and then, without dribbling or double stepping, dunk over his defender’s head. I’ve never played with anyone who can do that. It changes everything. The way I know, in my head, to dominate a match, and my ability to push myself in what I do, I’ve never played with anyone that made me feel like I could do that as well. He’s bigger and more talented than me, period, so seeing that is impressive. »
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | POR | 82 | 39 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 84.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2013-14 | POR | 82 | 36 | 42.4 | 39.4 | 87.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 20.7 |
| 2014-15 | POR | 82 | 36 | 43.4 | 34.3 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 21.0 |
| 2015-16 | POR | 75 | 36 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.1 |
| 2016-17 | POR | 75 | 36 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 27.0 |
| 2017-18 | POR | 73 | 37 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 91.6 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | POR | 80 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 91.2 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 25.8 |
| 2019-20 | POR | 66 | 38 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 67 | 36 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 92.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 28.8 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 29 | 36 | 40.2 | 32.4 | 87.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 24.0 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 58 | 36 | 46.3 | 37.1 | 91.4 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 32.2 |
| Total | 769 | 36 | 43.9 | 37.2 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 25.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
