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Damian Lillard is playing his 12th season in the NBA with the Bucks, where he was traded from the Sixers just before the regular season rolled around. He seemed to have found a groove with new teammate and top player Giannis Antetokounmpo, and?fans have already given the duo the nickname “Freak Time.

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At 33, and having spent more than 10 years in the league, Damian is officially a veteran and an “OG” as Quentin Richardson from the Knuckleheads Podcast puts it. Dame joins Quentin and co-host Darius Miles for another episode, where The Big Game Dame gets candid about his favorite young player in the league right now, what with a number of young talents on the rise.

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Wherever Tre Mann is, it is nice

A seasoned player like Dame knows talent when he sees talent and for him, Tre Mann from the OKC takes the spot. Dame met Tre in one of his pro camps, and immediately he knew that the 22-year-old had game. “I don’t know if he’s gon’ be in Oklahoma City, but wherever he’s at, Trey man is nice.” While Dame admits that Tre is?”not a star,” he reminds him of another young top gun Anthony Edwards.

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How he do stuff and how, like, what he’s capable of, it reminds me of how Ant is, like, the same thing I saw in Ant is how I see, how I saw him,” Damian says. When he says that Tre has potential, he’s not lying. Tre is a good shooter and has legitimate breakdown moves to set up his shots, and given that his experience in the NBA is just two years so far, there will definitely be an improvement and unpacking of more skills down the road.

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Tre has only played five regular season games

Tre Mann was a First Round 18th pick by the Thunders in the 2021 NBA Draft. He finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists to record his first career triple-double in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in April 2023. He was sent to the G-League’s Oklahoma City Blue but has recently been recalled.

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Out of the 15 games that the Bucks have played so far in the season, Tre has played only five, averaging 4.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. As a young player, he is struggling to make a breakthrough, but seeing Damian Lillard acknowledge his skills has to mean that there is more to him than we have seen, and only time will unfold the greatness that Dame sees in him.

Watch This Story- ?Lame Time as Usual?: Portland Fans Turn on Damian Lillard Hours Within Bucks Trade After His ?I Could Never Be Replaced? Release

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Do you agree with Dame’s assessment of Tre Mann? Is he a player whose full potential is yet to be unlocked? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by

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Tsuktibenla T Jamir

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Tsuktibenla is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, whose love affair with basketball began at the age of 16, sparking a passion that has kept her actively playing ever since. Representing her school and college in various tournaments, she earned the title of MVP in several instances despite contending with multiple injuries. A graduate in English Literature, she pursued a Master's in Journalism to solidify her place in sports journalism. At the ES Desk, she is responsible for analyzing predictive lineups, injury reports, and breaking down player performances intricately. Despite her inclination towards a low-key lifestyle and the comfort of solitude, Tsuktibenla occasionally engages in NBA 2K or EA FIFA sessions with friends.

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Jayant Chhabra

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