Giannis Lauds Damian Lillard’s Impact After Debut: ‘Never Played With a Guy Like That’

Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to really feel proper at residence taking part in alongside new Bucks addition Damian Lillard. After the staff’s 108-97 preseason victory over the Lakers on Sunday night time, Antetokounmpo gushed with praise for Lillard and particularly the impression he makes the preliminary tip of the sport.

“He’s a threat, like … coming down from half court, he’s already a threat, and I’ve never played with a guy like that,” Antetokounmpo stated of Lillard. “I hope I can make the game easy for him, as much as he makes it easier for me and for our team.

“I’ve been with the Bucks for, this is my 11th seas.on I’ve never seen from the first play of the game, somebody being double-teamed. It was a surprise. It’s a preseason game. It’s not a playoff game. It’s not a regular season game. It’s not an in-season tournament game, you know? … It’s a preseason game.”

Antetokounmpo and Lillard led Milwaukee in scoring on Sunday night time, with the longtime Bucks ahead scoring 16 factors on 7-of-10 capturing with eight rebounds over quarter-hour.

Lillard struggled to get his shot to fall, pulling down 3-of-10 makes an attempt from the sphere, however he was an ideal 6-of-6 from the free throw line and completed with 14 factors, 4 steals, three assists and two rebounds in 22 minutes.

It was Lillard’s preseason debut for the Bucks, as he sat out the staff’s first two video games of the exhibition season. Milwaukee opens the common season in opposition to the visiting 76ers on Oct. 26.