Bucks Zone

“Best of luck to everyone else” - Darvin Ham issues warning over Antetokounmpo-Lillard duo

Giannis and Dame will definitely cause a lot of headaches.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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Darvin Ham of the LA Lakers was the first opposing coach to take a closer look at what Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard can do as teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Lakers lost to the Bucks, 97-108, on Sunday night in a game that marked the debut of Giannis and Dame as teammates.

Fair warning

Ham said the outcome of the game was a sign of things to come and warned that the Antetokounmpo-Lillard duo is going to be a problem for the rest of the NBA.

“Best of luck to everyone else, the other 28 teams besides from ourselves that have to figure out how to stop that,” said Ham per Mark Medina.

Ham’s warning stemmed from the efficient outings of Giannis and Dame in the two squads’ preseason duel.

Giannis and Dame played for just a combined 37 minutes against the Lakers. Even though they played limited minutes with Giannis sitting out the entire second half, the duo inflicted heavy damage.

Lillard collected 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 22 minutes of action. The prized off-season acquisition of the Bucks went 3-for-10 from the field, including a 2-of-7 clip from the three-point range. Giannis only saw action for 15 minutes and piled up 16 points, eight boards, an assist, and two blocks.

Ham’s valid concern

After the game, Giannis commented on how the Greek Freak scored with so much ease, as shown by his superb 7-of-10 shooting from the field.

“I'll be very honest. I’ve never been this open,” Giannis said.

It is easy to fathom why Ham is wary of Antetokounmpo and Lillard. The two All-Star teammates each averaged at least 30 points last season, and Darvin was right in saying that limiting the production of the high-scoring duo would be the biggest challenge for every opposing team.

Luckily for the Lakers, according to Ham, they are in the West, and the Bucks are in the East.

“I’m just happy we only have to see them twice in the regular season,” the former Milwaukee assistant coach said. 

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.