Bucks Zone

Damian Lillard says the Milwaukee Bucks’ experience is “new for everybody”

Dame is preaching patience as the Bucks continue to find their way through the season.

Jonas Panerio

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The Milwaukee Bucks have gotten off to a clunky start, with their 129-125 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night propping their record up to 4-2. Despite the high expectations for the Bucks to dominate, Damian Lillard suggests that their journey to synergy is a work in progress. As a result, their evolution may require a significant amount of time to materialize.

“It is new for everybody,” Lillard said after putting up 21 points and seven assists against the Nets.

Going to take time

Lillard was acquired by the Bucks not long before training camp started. No matter how diligent players are during that stretch and in preseason games, nothing beats the real in-game experience. And with the Bucks having a new head coach in Adrian Griffin, Lillard remarked the players are still buying into a new system and learning how to play with each other.

“It's a new coaching staff. It’s not like I'm just the only guy that's new to this,” Lillard shared, referring to players like Cam Payne and Malik Beasley.

“It’s a new staff, and a lot of things that they would like to see us do is not natural for a lot of guys, just as far as the cutting, the spacing, things like that. So it's going to take time.”

Things will get better

Having a 4-2 record despite their obvious struggles on both ends of the floor is no mean feat, and it’s been made possible by the amount of talent the Bucks have. From Lillard, who’s a seven-time All-Star, to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s a two-time MVP, to All-Stars Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, the Bucks boast a loaded roster with the offensive firepower to be one of the best teams in the East.

As such, they’re confident their offense and defense will start clicking as soon as they get more comfortable with each other and Griffin’s system. They know it won’t happen overnight but are encouraged by the potential.

“I think right now, because of the ability that we have, we’re able to make something out of these situations,” Lillard said. “And the effort is there, trying to do what's being asked of us. But it's not going to happen off the rip.”

“It’s a lot of things out there that's kind of … you know … mucky,” Lillard added. “And it gets ugly at times because it's just not natural for us as a unit yet. But I think it'll just get better.”

Adrian Griffin implores Damian Lillard to be himself

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO