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Damian Lillard Contract: Damian Lillard Settles into New Chapter-Embracing Change and Finding Comfort in Milwauke.
Damian Lillard Contract: At the precise moment when everything shifted for Damian Lillard, there was a noticeable absence of anyone answering the phone.
By the time mid-September rolled around, Lillard had resigned himself to the belief that the trade he had been pushing for from the Portland Trail Blazers months ago would never materialize. He had mentally prepared himself to embark on yet another training camp with the Blazers, marking his 12th consecutive season with the team. Thus, as he sat comfortably in his Portland home, nestled within his designated man cave, he certainly did not anticipate a call from his agent, Aaron Goodwin, informing him that his long-awaited trade had finally been set in motion. However, the destination of this trade was not what he had initially envisioned.
The individual whom Joe Cronin, the general manager of Portland, referred to as the “finest Trail Blazer to ever don the uniform,” had officially become a part of the Milwaukee Bucks.
A couple of weeks prior, Lillard and Goodwin had initially discussed the possibility of Milwaukee, yet the abruptness of the decision caught Lillard by surprise. Goodwin swiftly ended the call to reach out to the Bucks again, giving Lillard some time to absorb the news.
Traded. Lillard allowed the notion to linger in the atmosphere as he took a moment to process it.
The conclusion of an 11-season stint in Portland had been confirmed. Lillard had relocated his entire family to the city, including his brother, mother, sister, and cousins. Approximately 30 relatives had gathered in Portland solely because of him. Moreover, his three children were born and raised there. However, now he was on the verge of establishing a new residence in a different city.
What are the typical low temperatures in Milwaukee? Which neighborhood would be suitable for his new home? Oh, and training camp commences in just one week. How would he efficiently organize the process of packing up all his belongings? Where should he even begin?
A wave of panic began to wash over him. Lillard commenced his search throughout the house for his family, but to no avail. He dialed their numbers, desperately hoping for an answer, yet the calls went unanswered.
Returning to his sanctuary, the man cave, he sank into a profound silence. It was in that very moment that he contemplated the significance of his team and the immense opportunity that lay before him. The Bucks had triumphed in the NBA championship three seasons ago, a feat that Lillard himself had not achieved, and one that had eluded Portland since 1977.
Lillard expressed his optimism and belief in the team’s chances to succeed in every season in Portland. During the Bucks media day in October, he acknowledged the opportunity he had to achieve his goals in the new situation he found himself in. However, after the trade on September 27, Lillard took a moment to review the NBA schedule and discovered the only game the Bucks would play in Portland this season.
Since then, he has marked Wednesday’s date on his calendar, as the Blazers will be hosting the Bucks at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. It is worth noting that Lillard’s anticipation for this game is not solely due to playing as a visitor in the Moda Center for the first time in his career.
Lillard expressed his anticipation for a particular date, stating, “I had that date circled for my kids.” In an interview with ESPN, he explained that he was looking forward to spending a few days with his children and being reunited with his family and colleagues. While the game itself holds importance, Lillard emphasized that the surrounding events contribute to the significance of the date.
After the Bucks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Lillard made his way to Portland ahead of his teammates to spend additional time with his loved ones. Upon his arrival, he received the news that Adidas had officially named the court at their Portland headquarters in his honor. However, amidst these personal milestones, his new team is going through a period of change. With aspirations of capitalizing on their championship potential this season, the Bucks made the decision to dismiss their first-year head coach, Adrian Griffin, and appoint Doc Rivers as his replacement, who made his debut on Monday night.
However, Lillard has consistently emphasized that despite the challenges of adapting to a new environment and the inconsistent performance of the Milwaukee team, they have managed to achieve a commendable record of 32-15, securing the second position in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Trail Blazers find themselves in a significantly less favorable position, with a record 19 games below .500 and occupying the second-to-last spot in the Western Conference. This stark contrast serves as a poignant reminder of the reasons behind Lillard’s decision to seek a departure from a place that he had once considered his home.
Upon his arrival in Milwaukee, Lillard was greeted with a parade organized by fans outside of Fiserv Forum, a warm welcome to his new city. However, he faced the challenge of adapting to his unfamiliar surroundings in a short span of less than a week between the trade and the start of camp.
Lillard expressed his unease with the entire process, particularly being separated from his children and family. These personal struggles added to the difficulties he faced on the court, although they may not be the focal point for most people, they are an integral part of his experience.
In addition to the personal challenges, Lillard had to adjust to a different role on the team and playing alongside another star like Giannis. The change in playing style presented a significant adjustment for him, as he had to adapt to multiple changes simultaneously. However, as time has passed, Lillard has grown more comfortable with his new circumstances and is finding his rhythm in the team.
At the time of the trade, it appeared that Lillard’s integration into the Milwaukee team was a seamless fit due to his playing style complementing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s. However, Lillard was aware that this partnership would require time to fully develop and succeed.
During the initial phase of the season, the Bucks had a record of 5-4. Unfortunately, Lillard was unable to contribute to losses against the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic due to calf soreness. In the seven games he did participate in during this period, Lillard’s shooting percentages were subpar, with only 40% from the field and 29.3% from beyond the arc.
Lillard gradually began to feel more settled in his new surroundings. He found a place to call home, had some family members come stay with him, and made sure to spend time with his children whenever possible. Since November 15th, Lillard has been performing exceptionally well, averaging 25.6 points per game and shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc.
Despite his personal success and the Bucks’ impressive record, with 32 wins tying them for fourth place in the league, the team made a bold decision to replace Griffin with Rivers. Sources revealed that Lillard had a great experience playing under Griffin, but both he and Antetokounmpo recognize the immense opportunity that lies ahead of them.
Antetokounmpo expressed his thoughts on the team’s progress, stating, “Since the start of the season until this point, I believe we have united as a team.” He emphasized the need for further cohesion, saying, “However, we must strive for more. With over 30 games remaining in addition to the playoffs, it is crucial that we continue to strengthen our bond.”
Lillard has relied on his family more than ever during this process, surpassing the level of support he had in Portland. The immediate aftermath of the trade served as a small-scale representation of what he would encounter throughout this season – change, accompanied by an unsettling sensation, and the need to navigate these emotions without the same nearby support system he had grown accustomed to.
According to Lillard, “This was a significant change for me at this point. I believe I am now mature enough to handle it given my age and experience, but it teaches you that in many aspects of our lives, we often feel invincible. However, even Superman had his Kryptonite.”
Down by two with only 5 seconds left in overtime on January 14th against the Sacramento Kings, Lillard inbounded the ball. The pass was received by Brook Lopez at the opposing 3-point line, who quickly sent it back to Lillard as he charged up the court with great momentum.
With a series of powerful dribbles as he crossed half court, Lillard swiftly surpassed De’Aaron Fox. He then stepped up and composed himself from an impressive 32 feet away before launching a remarkable buzzer-beater, securing the victory for the Bucks. This was their first buzzer-beater since January 2017.
Lillard showcased his vintage skills, displaying his signature clutch performance known as “Dame Time.”
Lillard’s exceptional performance brought his teammates to a frenzy. Antetokounmpo warmly embraced him, while Lillard confidently pointed to his wrist. The entire team celebrated, exchanging handshakes and laughter, amazed by his abilities. These moments are not new to Lillard, as he has delivered four game-winning buzzer beaters since his debut in the 2012-13 season, with only LeBron James (5) surpassing him among active players.
Milwaukee boasts an impressive 18-7 record in clutch time situations this season, which is defined as games within five points with five minutes remaining. This remarkable achievement positions them as the team with the best record in the NBA in such scenarios. Leading the charge for the Bucks is Damian Lillard, who has contributed 98 clutch points, making him the second-highest scorer in the league, just behind Stephen Curry. Historically, the Bucks have struggled with their offense during the closing moments of games, a recurring issue that has haunted them during playoff time. Consequently, the addition of Lillard to their roster has brought great joy to the team, as he provides a reliable option for end-of-game situations.
According to Bucks forward Bobby Portis, Lillard seamlessly integrated into the team from the very beginning, receiving a warm welcome from his teammates. Recognized as a top-tier talent in the league and a top-75 player, Lillard’s arrival was met with enthusiasm. The team’s primary objective was to allow him the freedom to express himself on the court, acknowledging that there are still numerous untapped levels of potential for him to explore and reach.
Lillard’s performance in Milwaukee has experienced a decline overall. His usage rate has decreased to 28.2%, which is the lowest it has been since his early days in Portland when he played alongside fellow All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. Playing alongside Antetokounmpo has led to a decrease in his scoring, dropping from a career-high of 32.2 points per game last season to 25.1 points per game this year.
However, both Lillard and Antetokounmpo have expressed the belief that they are just starting to tap into the full potential of their on-court chemistry.
“[Rivers] stressed the importance of involving Dame more,” Antetokounmpo stated on Monday evening. “When I possess the ball, I should pass it to Dame quickly. We should also focus on setting more screens, rolling out of the post, and executing dribble handoffs – these are the things he desires from us, and we need to do them more frequently. Ultimately, when Dame has the ball and I’m a threat as a roller, we can create significant impact.”
According to Second Spectrum, the Milwaukee Bucks are currently maintaining an impressive average of 1.18 points per direct pick whenever Antetokounmpo sets an on-ball screen for Lillard. This exceptional efficiency places them as the third-best duo in terms of scoring in the NBA. However, the concern under Griffin’s leadership was the frequency of these plays. The Bucks have been executing approximately 9.9 on-ball screens per game, which unfortunately positions them outside the top 25 duos in terms of volume this season.
Rivers expressed on Monday night that the current approach has proven to be effective, however, he believes it should strive for dominance.
In the previous season, during Rivers’ tenure as the coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden and Joel Embiid collaborated on 22.6 on-ball screens per game, which ranked them second among all duos according to Second Spectrum.
Despite not having a similar level of involvement from their star duo, the Bucks have managed to outscore their opponents by 10.5 points per 100 possessions when Lillard and Antetokounmpo share the court. Just recently, in a game against the Detroit Pistons, Lillard showcased his skills by scoring a season-high 45 points and distributing 11 assists, while Antetokounmpo contributed 31 points and nine assists of his own. This marked the seventh instance this season where both players scored 30 or more points in the same game.
Lillard expressed his desire to be productive while acknowledging that he still faces challenges in finding his rhythm. He emphasized the importance of giving oneself grace during the regular season, particularly in light of a significant trade and the adjustments that come with it. Despite these obstacles, Lillard highlighted the team’s ability to win and find a way forward. He remains confident that they will eventually hit their stride and everything will fall into place.
