Damian Lillard says he’s starting to find a balance between being aggressive and giving way to Giannis Antetokounmpo

Lillard discussed finding the balance between competing and creating opportunities for his co-star.

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

When you’ve had the role of primary scorer and playmaker all your career, it can be tricky to find the balance between giving way to another star player and still being aggressive. Damian Lillard has faced this challenge since arriving in Milwaukee to join two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he seems to be figuring it out over the last few weeks.

Lillard is shooting a career-low 39.8 percent from the field, and his usage rate is also down significantly less than his career averages. But despite the lower numbers, the Bucks are still finding ways to nab victories, having won four straight after Saturday night’s win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Finding good balance

Lillard shared after the game that he’s found a way to get other people going—especially Giannis—without compromising his rhythm.

“It’s just good balance. You got a guy as dominant as he is, you gotta let him be dominant,” Lillard said of Giannis, who scored 40 points last time out.

“What I’ve tried to do is find my way of just making sure I’m being aggressive so that three quarters don’t go by and I’m just kind of like stuck, and I’m not in a good rhythm, I’m not into the game. And I’m starting to find that.”

Getting more comfortable with one another

There’s been a steep learning curve for this season’s Bucks regarding chemistry and learning how to play together. But Bucks coach Adrian Griffin believes that the team has made great strides and is now starting to get more comfortable with one another.

“Well, I think that every game that, they’re getting more comfortable with each other, and they’re trusting each other,” Griffin said.

“It’s so dynamic out there, and it is scary when I think they’re going to get better and better, and it’s going to be even more frightening for opponents when they really start figuring it out on a consistent basis, but you see that they’re building chemistry.”

Move it and shoot it. ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/vNrr71Qqkx

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 19, 2023

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