Bucks Zone

A report asks a crucial question with the NBA Playoffs on the horizon: When will the Giannis-Dame two-man game flourish consistently?

Bucks and NBA fans have long waited for the Giannis-Dame duo to take over the league.

Jonas Panerio

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With the NBA Playoffs fast approaching, one question on the minds of experts and Milwaukee Bucks fans is when the two-man game of superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will operate efficiently and consistently.

When news of the Bucks’ acquisition of Lillard broke out in the offseason, widespread fear and excitement immediately spread across the league. The thought of two MVP-caliber players joining forces seemed almost unfair, especially considering their respective strengths on the court.

But as the regular season progressed, it became apparent that Antetokounmpo and Lillard's chemistry was still a work in progress. While there have been glimpses of their potential, they have also struggled to find a rhythm together.

Offense still needs work under Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers’ arrival has somewhat fixed the Bucks’ porous defense, which was their identity when they won the NBA title in 2021. However, the offense remains a huge question mark as the Bucks’ offensive efficiency has caved during Rivers’ regime.

“The Milwaukee Bucks look better overall under Doc Rivers, with the rediscovery of their top-flight defensive rating as the most welcome development. Quietly, though, Milwaukee has regressed on the other end. The Bucks rank 20th in offensive efficiency under Rivers, down from second during Adrian Griffin's tenure,” Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report wrote.

“More specifically, the interplay between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard remains clunky. Expected by many to elevate the Bucks' attack to new heights, the pick-and-roll game between the two superstars simply hasn't worked.”

Bucks need to figure this one out

There’s no question Lillard and Giannis can hijack the offense and create shots for themselves. However, the real challenge is finding a way to utilize both of their talents together in a cohesive and effective manner. Doing this will be critical, especially in the playoffs when defenses specifically hone in on either player.

“Lillard can do a lot of damage keeping the ball himself, and much of the Bucks' late-game offense seems to center on Dame creating his own looks with the use of a screen. But it'll always feel like Milwaukee is leaving money on the table until it figures out how to unlock Dame and Giannis in tandem,” Hughes continued.

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO