Damian Lillard takes pride in contributing to other aspects after abysmal shooting vs. Bulls: "Lot of ways to impact the game"

Dame channeled his playmaking wonders to navigate the Bucks' offense with a team-high nine dimes.

© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As a crucial cold snap had suddenly crippled his game against the Chicago Bulls, Damian Lillard didn't panic.

With his offensive guns misfiring from the distance, Dame just quickly integrated his floor general persona. From there, amid a nightmare shooting, he was still able to provide key contributions in the Milwaukee Bucks' 133-129 overtime triumph.

Contribute in other ways possible

Lillard finished the matchup with 14 points but shot horribly, making 3-of-17 field goal attempts. Still, he recovered his erratic scoring by finding his teammates in the right spots by dishing out a team-high nine assists.

Threesley hits his fourth triple! pic.twitter.com/M0drtleIn5

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 12, 2023

Basketball is not just about scoring. For Dame, his horror shooting display gave him a perfect platform to contribute in other key areas for the Bucks, especially in the playmaking department.

"I mean, there's a lot of ways to impact the game," Lillard said. "I've been in a lot of games where I didn't shoot the ball well. Just over time, you know, when you get to that point where, like, shots you usually make aren't going in, you miss one you feel like is easy, you miss a free throw, and you're like, 'Man.' It's just one of those nights [against the Bulls]. I think it's important to keep taking those opportunities when they're there, but you can't just allow that to stop you from playing the game. Like I said, I still made plays, I was being a playmaker."

"Defensively, I was – a couple times – matched up on bigger dudes, just trying to put a body on 'em. Taking the challenge, switching onto [DeMar] DeRozan or whatever the case might be, just try to do anything you can to do to contribute to the win and not get too caught up in, oh, I'm missing shots. That's part of the game. It happens. That's what I was thinking in my head."

Strength in numbers

The Bucks have boasted its offensive depth against the Bulls, with seven different players scoring double-digits on the board. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with his 32 points on a highly efficient 69.2% shooting.

From Damian's perspective, this is truly a sight to behold. Coming from a past situation in which he was mainly assigned to carry the load, the All-Star finds it relieving to get surrounded by capable contributors and be able to notch victories.

"That's the beauty of being on a really good team," Lillard said. "It was not a situation where I have to – obviously I'm not going to get shy, I'm not going to shy away – but I don't have to feel the pressure 'I have to do something.' If I see Brook popping back, I can make that play and he's a great player, too, and it's a good play for our team if he makes that shot. If I see Giannis running ahead in transition or in the pocket, or if I pass it ahead to Khris, or if Khris is bringing the ball up, these are all good opportunities for us because you're playing with good players. So, that was it. It's a luxury. But I think that's just part of being on a good team where you understand the situation."

Giannis says the Bucks showed signs of growth in their OT win over the Bulls