Giannis: “Lillard is incredible, I still have some rust to shake off”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks opened the 2023-24 season with a win over the Sixers while seeing the full potential of Damian Lillard, who scored 39 points in his Milwaukee debut.

Addressing the issue, the “Greek Freak” said he was looking forward to being near the All-Star guard, but added that he still has time to reach the level he wants, as this is only his first time fourth game – and his first official one – after which surgery was carried out in the summer.

Giannis explained in detail:

As he felt, Lillard scored back-to-back points and put the game away: “I’m trying to win. When he’s hot and the team is in rhythm, he brought us back into the game. When someone is in that situation, you want to keep giving them the ball. Now it was Lillard who was in the rhythm when.” Middleton had been in the rhythm, he took her when it was Beasley, he.

It’s a question of trust. You have to build that. He needs to know (ss Lillard) that the ball will find him when he has a good day and that it will create phases for him and the team. That’s what we needed to win today.”

About how he marked Embiid: “I had a conversation with Coach Griffin and we said that if he feels like I should tag Embiid or one of the opponent’s best players in general, he should tell me. I want to work on that from the first game of the season through the playoffs.

That’s something I think the team needs from me. He trusted me even though I had three fouls, and I tried to make it difficult for Embiid, knowing I had help behind me if he got past me. That makes my job easier, but – as I said – coach Griffin lets me mark the players who are having a good day or who are the opponent’s best players.”

For his looks, but also for the Bucks: “We had a great win, we can do a lot better. At times we played well and full of energy. Once we become more organized and understand what we need to do, we will be better. Defensively we did a good job, we didn’t do that. “I don’t give up free throws. We need to continue to develop good habits, we have a lot of room for improvement. We achieved a great victory with many ups and downs.

However, we will watch VIDEO, we will improve, we have a player who increases our level. But we have to keep working to make the game easier for him and for everyone.

On an individual level, I need to improve. It’s a great win, but I think I can help the team in many ways. For me it’s only the 4th game after my operation in the summer, I have to shake off the rust, help my teammates, trust in my talent and let my instincts run wild.

I know who I am and what I can do. But I have to keep improving and I will keep improving. It was just the first official game of the season. I want to continue to improve between now and the playoffs to be where I want to be. I will work hard.”

For the intensity of the game: “There was tension, it was like a playoff game. Of course, everyone is impatient and nervous at a premiere. They want to play well. There was tension, it was different than before. The Sixers were more aggressive defensively, they finished off the stick, they helped in the post, they were a different team compared to last year, that was a surprise.”

About Damian Lillard and what he brings to the Bucks: “I was waiting for him to create phases at the end of the game. He put us in the right positions. He was aggressive the whole game, he created phases for himself. I think he was incredible today, I saw that on a screen.” that he scored the most points on debut that anyone has ever scored, which says a lot about him, his character and what he brings to the team, says. I, like the team, am excited to see what he has to offer.”