The Milwaukee Bucks are 15-6. They have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. However, Damian Lillard believes he and his teammates have only scratched the surface of what they can become.
"Like, bro, the scariest thing is that we’re (15-6) right now, and we’re trying to figure it all out,"
Lillard told Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
Damian Lillard:
"…The scariest thing is that we’re [15-6] right now, and we’re trying to figure it all out. And I haven't even gotten started, bro. I promise you."
(via Eric Nehm / @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/OxzglulCaF
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 7, 2023
Lillard is averaging 25.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists in his first season with the Bucks while shooting 43.6% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line.
The future Hall of Famer’s chemistry with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t where he wants it to be yet, but Lillard knows these things take time.
"Myself and Giannis are just still trying to figure out how we can be in more actions together and take advantage of some of these defenses together,"
Lillard said.
"This is our 21st game, so it’s just going to take time. The Lillard-Antetokounmpo pick-and-roll hasn’t been as deadly as many people thought it would, but Lillard isn’t worried.
"I think it takes reps, like anything else,"
Lillard said.
"Like, I played with somebody similar — well, not a similar player, but a high-level player — with LaMarcus Aldridge in pick-and-roll, but I was young. So, it’s new for me to have somebody that’s this much of a threat, like somebody that can take over a game dominating 40 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and missed two shots."
"So, it’s different for me too, but I think it just takes reps. I think we need to be in more pick-and-roll situations together. I think that’s how you get better. That’s how you learn each other better."
“I think we just aren’t in a lot of pick-and-rolls where I’m handling and he’s setting. And we haven’t locked in on it enough … I think right now we don’t get enough reps at it in the game against the coverages because we don’t run it all the time, like you would assume. So, it’s just taking some time for us to get it down."
Fans expressed their views as follows:
Damian lillard is a fraud. Watch Tyrese haliburton outplay him and beat the bucks!! Fraud time is a washed free throw merchant🤡
— Kyrie’s Tribesman🤞🏾 (@NevaMiss24) December 7, 2023
Just wait until I kick it into high gear! Things are about to get real interesting. 🔥
— Muhammad Adnan Qamar (@adnanqamar7477) December 7, 2023
Bucks are the best team in the East. It is going to be extremely difficult to beat this time four times in seven games.
— Mark A.Kern II (@Markkern111) December 7, 2023
Lillard talking big about 'figuring it all out' at 15-6? Maybe focus less on promises and more on delivering results. The Blazers won't be scary until they start winning when it counts
— Gopex (@ItzGopex) December 7, 2023
I know some times stheletes just be saying stuff but when you watch the bucks games he really hasn’t got going yet for real. He’s distributing like crazy and just going through the flow until 4th qtr
— DMastermind (@DMasterMind7) December 7, 2023
Their issue is and always will be defense. They can keep pace with anyone offensively, but the defense fails them. They have been in too many close games because of their defense. What happens when their shots aren't falling because their defense isn't going to help.
— Eric Cone (@eroc813) December 7, 2023
