Damian Lillard considers it a "blessing" to have the same personality as Giannis Antetokounmpo

Dame and Giannis are on the same page.

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Personalities play a massive part in the success of an NBA team. History has shown that no matter how talented several players are in a single unit, the team is likely to fail if their personalities don't mesh well with each other. Damian Lillard considers himself lucky to be playing on a team with someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a similar personality and outlook on life as his own.

"It is a blessing to have that," Lillard said while appearing on the Knuckleheads Podcast with Quentin Richarson and Darius Miles.

Complement one another

Lillard previously played with someone who shared the same personality traits as him, CJ McCollum, who was his teammate for nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, Lillard shared that the dynamic between him and McCollum differs from his one with Giannis in that they were both guards.

"To have it with a forward that can pass and handle, and that's like a dominant player versus me being a guard more of, you know, finesse skill and on the perimeter. I think that's more complimentary to the other, you know," Lillard shared.

Solid understanding

Lillard added that having a like-minded teammate does wonders for on-court execution and off-court chemistry.

"So like to not only haat but also to have people that are like-minded. When I was hearing him talk and I see how he act, like I already know it because I act that way. I can see his behavior and already know what he on," Lillard added.

"Sometimes [Damian Lillard] wants to operate the offense and you have to give him the ball... Game by game, we're going to learn how to play with one another.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo on his chemistry with Dame 🔥

(via @hoopshype)pic.twitter.com/r7BbsHXYn8

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 19, 2023

Damian Lillard picks Giannis Antetokounmpo as a player he can build a team around with