After going through a season that began with so much promise but ended in bitter defeat in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard is vowing to play his game as best as he can to elevate the Bucks back to championship contender status.
The eight-time All-Star made the most of the offseason, sharpening his skill set and even incorporating boxing into his training regimen. With the regular season only a few weeks away, Lillard is confident he can make "Dame Time" happen more often than it did last season.
Will the real Dame please stand up?
A quick look at the numbers shows that the former Weber State star averaged 24.3 points and 7.0 assists per game last season, earning an All-Star berth. For others, that may be a milestone year, but for somebody as accomplished as Lillard, it was far from ideal. He made only 42% of his shots, including a subpar 35% from beyond the arc.
However, with the amount of hard work Damian claims he put in this summer, it's safe to say that fans and opponents alike should be on high alert.
"My teammates and my coaches, they're going to get the real version of me this year," Lillard declared .
"I just know what type of year I had, and I know the type of summer I had (last year) and preparation I had, and they're going to get the real version of me. That's really all I can say," "Dame Dolla" added.
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Getting on the same page as Giannis
Getting two superstars in their prime is a luxury most NBA teams never get to have. However, getting those two alphas to play well together is a whole different story. This was the situation that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard found themselves in last season. While the two posted stellar numbers, there were plenty of times when the product on the floor didn't seem to mesh. This year, Damian is determined to make it work and build chemistry with his fellow superstar.
"I think subconsciously, we are who we are because of how stubborn we are and how much we believe in what we believe. And I've never played with a player of his level. He's never played with a point guard like me. So I think it just took time for it to get to this point where I'm going to say what I need to say to you, and it doesn't have to be negative or like I'm coming at you, but I can say it, know that you're going to take it as what I think the best thing is and vice versa," the eight-time All-NBA team member asserted.
With All-Star wingman Khris Middleton still recovering from ankle surgeries this offseason, the bulk of the offensive load will be squarely on the shoulders of the "Greek Freak" and Lillard. Time will tell if the two players have really figured out how to play off one another and make the most of their talents.
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