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Giannis Antetokounmpo May Finally Witness “Failure”, Courtesy of Damian Lillard

Published 02/22/2024, 1:44 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, are experiencing a unique season. Despite holding the third position in the Eastern Conference and having a skilled roster strengthened by the addition of Damian Lillard, the team has faced growing criticism. This is attributed, in part, to the challenging start under the coaching of Doc Rivers. Since Rivers assumed the helm, the team has struggled, with a 5-7 record and keep encountering difficulties in securing victories.

So after going through all this turmoil not winning a championship will obviously be seen in a negative light. At least that’s what folks over at ESPN’s First Take seem to think. In a recent clip posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) the analyst is saying, “If you pair up two players of this caliber you do it for one intention: win immediately. … So if they don’t [win a championship] … that is a failed season. It doesn’t mean overall this is going to be a failure.”

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This has been a noteworthy take and makes one think about the consequences under which the Bucks are playing under. However, Gianni’s recent admission might also be a show for his trust in Lillard.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo has his full confidence on Lillard

In a conversation with The Athletic, the “Greek Freak” ventured into the intricacies of the team’s performances, attributing the Milwaukee Bucks’ struggles to the frequent changes in both the backroom staff and the roster itself. While acknowledging the impact of Dame’s inclusion and the absence of Jrue Holiday,  Antetokounmpo expressed support for Lillard, emphasizing that he remains a devoted fan.

“I am his biggest fan. Good or bad, I ride with Dame until the f—ing end. I ride with Dame. Like I’ve been saying this over and over again. This. Is. His. Team. Down the stretch, he’s going to get the ball. There’s nothing else that we will do. I don’t know how else to put it. I don’t know what else to say. But at the end of the day, he has to believe it too,” said Giannis.

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The departure of Mike Budenholzer and the hiring of Adrian Griffin marked the start of a series of changes culminating in the acquisition of Damian Lillard before training camp. Despite the challenges, Giannis has consistently delivered and is optimistic about a turnaround, especially in his evolving relationship with Lillard. However can lift the Larry O’Brian trophy ? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by:

Jayati Bhattacharjee

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Jayati Bhattacharjee is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. She holds a degree in English, carrying a passion for writing which reflects in her research oriented, lifestyle pieces encompassing NBA entities. At the ES NewsDesk, she also covers her astute analysis on injury reports.
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Edited by:

Anuj Jacob