© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen A. Smith calls the Giannis Antetokounmpo-Damian Lillard combination "lethal"
The NBA world got turned on its head on Wednesday with the news that seven-time All-NBA Team member Damian Lillard has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, thereby joining forces with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to form one of the most potent duos ever seen in the league.
Naturally, pundits and analysts alike were abuzz over the blockbuster deal, not least Stephen A. Smith, who appeared on NBA Today and called the Giannis-Dame duo “lethal.”
Potent partnership
Lillard is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his 11-year career. He averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists and made 4.2 three-pointers per game. Even though those numbers went to waste with the Blazers finishing with a mediocre 33-49 record, the trade to the Bucks is a wonderful opportunity for Dame to legitimately contend for an NBA championship.
The potential symbiosis between Giannis and Dame is the stuff of dreams. Giannis is a force of nature who can draw double teams and create space for Lillard to get open shots within the arc or beyond it. Dame, meanwhile, is a proven crunchtime performer and a reliable option to have the ball in his hands when it matters most. The duo’s offensive capabilities could even be groundbreaking as they look to establish an unstoppable two-man game.
“You got to remember Giannis doesn't have to come downhill toward you now. He doesn't have to drive the ball the full length of the court, coming downhill and doing things that way. That's to his advantage, but now, when he kicks it out, he's got somebody to kick it out to that's a sniper, that is a closer, and more importantly, when the game is on the line, you're not looking for Giannis to come save the day," Smith said.
"Because the one thing Damian Lillard has proven throughout his career is give him the ball when the clock is winding down and ask him to close the deal, that's his specialty,” Smith added.
Dame Time in Wisconsin
The loquacious media personality added that Lillard’s presence in Milwaukee takes a load off the broad shoulders of Giannis, especially when a game is nip-and-tuck. Whereas teams could get away with loading the defense up on the “Greek Freak” before, they now have to worry about Lillard’s late-game heroics.
“He can average his 31 and 13 and do what he does, but in the end, when it comes time to close, particularly from long range, he no longer has to worry about having that responsibility. He just got somebody that can handle that all by himself,” Smith added.
