Giannis Antetokounmpo Says Damian Lillard Is ‘Coming Out Of His Comfort Zone’ With Bucks

During an interview with NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic, Giannis Antetokounmpo said Damian Lillard is “coming out of his comfort zone” with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

“Just being on the court is hard for him,” Antetokounmpo said about Lillard. “He’s coming out of his comfort zone, playing with a guy like me on a team where guys can make plays. Maybe a lot of time in Portland, he didn’t necessarily have guys who can make as many plays as we can make. You have Brook (Lopez). You have Bobby (Portis). You have Khris. You have Pat (Connaughton). You have Malik (Beasley). You have Jae (Crowder). Guys can make plays, you know? It’s easier (in Milwaukee) to give it up and wait for something to happen. So that’s something new for him. (He’s) playing for something. We’re not playing to make the playoffs, you know what I’m saying? It’s good. We are happy. I’m grateful for every single day that I’m alive, but I’m competing. I’m competitive.”

Lillard is away from his kids and family in Milwaukee. During an interview with NBA reporter Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Lillard admitted that he was “lonely” in Milwaukee. 

“It’s different,” Antetokounmpo said. “There’s not a lot of things to do in Milwaukee, obviously. Totally different weather. I believe that he was maybe around his family when he was in Portland, in the same way that a lot of my family members are in Milwaukee. When you make that change, it’s kind of hard to pull everybody with you. So it’s hard for everybody to make a transition like that. But I think out of everybody (who might make that change), you don’t expect as much (from them) as you expect from Dame, you know what I’m saying?”

The Bucks are third in the East with a strong record of 42-24. They are expected to compete for this year’s NBA title with Antetokounmpo and Lillard leading the way. 

Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists this season, while Lillard is averaging 24.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists.