Damian Lillard finally made his Bucks debut against the Lakers. And he showed off his skills straightaway, setting an encouraging example. Along with his new mate Giannis Antetokounmpo, he combined for 30 points and the Bucks took the win. For the Lakers, coach Darvin Ham emptied his depth and tried a plethora of combinations. However, LeBron James was missing from these combinations. He opted to sit out yet another Preseason affair.

However, for a veteran who has pulled in a mind-boggling 20+ seasons already, this won’t matter much. As he skips the match-up, Giannis Antetokounmpo showers him with a wealth of praise.

Giannis Antetokounmpo talks about the impact of LeBron James

During the two-times MVP’s 15+ minutes presser, it was natural that a question about James was going to pop up. When asked about what is his favorite thing was about LBJ, he admired the forward. He praised his “consistency” and went on about how he was “always prepared” for a game. While lauding his on-court passion, he also talked about his off-the-court image.

He expressed, “What he does off the court too, the way he uses his platform. The way he stays out of trouble. Never got in trouble for 21 years. It is very hard when you are under the microscope like everybody has something to say. Everybody thinks that you do something wrong. Like 21 years, you never got in trouble”.

He continued, “You know, be able to take care of his family, raise his kids the right way. Be happily married. And all those things is perfect. It’s kind of like setting the blueprint for the rest of us and we just got to follow it. That’s what I want. I want to be able to do what I do on the court. Consistently be good, be healthy. Be available for my team. Be available to raise my family in a bubble away from what I do on the court for them to have a normal life. Stay out of trouble.”

READ MORE: Thrashing LeBron James’ Lakers in First Outing With Damian Lillard, Excited Giannis Antetokounmpo Sends a Stern Warning to The League

As he lauds one of the greatest and wants to “mimic” his blueprint, the upcoming season will be a huge test. 

A lot on line for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The upcoming season is probably going to determine whether The Greek Freak will sign the extension with the Bucks. He has made it clear that he can only be loyal if he is winning titles quickly. After winning a chip in 2021, he has gotten addicted to winning. Having Damian Lillard in quiver bolsters the Bucks’ chances, but what is the ceiling?

The East is packed and the Celtics are still heavy favorites, especially after acquiring Antetokounmpo’s former teammate Jrue Holiday. However, the Dunk Master knows how to overcome such challenges. Will he get two championships closer to the one whom he admires so much?

Watch This Story: “Don’t Know How You Handle That”: After Joining Forces With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Sends Warning to the Rest of the NBA