“He can’t do what Giannis does. But he can do like Giannis in his own way.”. Doc Rivers has a sense of nuance when he spoke, before Game 1, of the privilege of being able to count on Damian Lillard. “He can be dominant. there is no doubt. And this will give him the opportunity to have the ball much more often, which will allow him to be closer to the Lady we know. added the Milwaukee coach.
In saying that, he probably did not imagine that “Dame” would hit so hard: 35 points in the first period in Game 1 against the Pacers! It's a personal best and a franchise record in a half, and it was Lillard who put the Bucks on the right track. The Pacers had Andrew Nembhard on his back, but the enormous screen work of the Bucks allowed Lillard to regain his Portland game. Not forgetting this buzzer beater from the first half where he challenges TJ McConnell.
A real boxer
“That’s why they brought me here!” » he says to the audience, showing his number and the Bucks logo on his jersey. “He has the mentality of a boxer” notes Doc Rivers. “ It's like he's training for the fight and when the bell rings, he seems to be ready. That’s his mentality and that’s how he plays.”
The Pacers are knocked out: 35 points at 11 out of 19 on shots, including 6 out of 10 at 3-points, but also 7 out of 7 on free throws. At one point in the first half, Lillard had scored as many points as all the Pacers combined… “In the playoffs, it’s about setting the tone. We see this team often, and we have to send a message, especially at home. That was what I had in mind: to try to give it my all and do my best. For two years, I missed the playoffs and it sucked…I was going on vacation early. Last year I went to Coachella. I never got to go to Coachella. Having such a long summer, it was over for me. Being able to participate in the playoffs with a team that is aiming for the title is what I was looking forward to the most.”
He then makes the others play
In the second period, Damian Lillard will not score a single point! But he won't force it either. Taken together, he will play the conductor and it is Middleton who will benefit: 15 points at 6 out of 8 after the break.
“He’s a major event player” summarizes Khris Middleton, impressed by his teammate's performance at the Olympic Games. “Great players produce great performances… They are capable of performances like this. I hope he does it more regularly, because everyone knows he can do it. We've all seen it done for years. It's just that he hasn't done it as much here. It’s another place, another team, whatever…”
