Let's Talk About the Damian Lillard Trade
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Damian Lillard was finally traded this afternoon, but not to the Miami Heat like many, myself included, thought he would be. Nope, Lillard was sent to the Bucks, Jrue Holiday is headed to the Blazers with Deandre Ayton and Jusuf Nurkic is going to the Suns. There are other players involved, but these are the big names, with Lillard's being the biggest. Let’s discuss.
I think Ayton will do well with no pressure on a young team in Portland. He needed a change of scenery and going to a rebuilding squad that will let him be the number 1 or 2 option will be a solid fit for him. Jrue Holiday will not stay in Portland. They have already said they are trying to flip him. Holiday would be a good addition for any team that is a contender. He is one of the best defenders in the league and he can score from time to time. He also has a ring and knows what it takes to get there. Nurkic to the Suns seems small, but if he can stay healthy, he could bring a ton to a team with championship intentions. Nurkic is a big body that can rebound and score in the post. He isn't the best defender in the post, but he could be a menace. But the big news here, the reason you all came to read this blog is Damian Lillard going to the Bucks.
I do not know if he will stay past this season, but for this year the Bucks are clearly going for it. Giannis Antetokounmpo came out recently and said that if the Bucks do not show him that they are willing to compete for titles every year he may not stay with the team. This move is clearly the front office going for it. I did not expect the Bucks to be in this talk at all. I didn't think they had the pieces. I didn't think they were going to get rid of a player of Jrue Holiday's caliber. I thought they were going to play this year out and hope they find that special sauce they had two years ago when they won it all. None of that happened, and I think they are better for it today. They have one of the best shooters to ever play this game now teaming up with Giannis and Khris Middleton. They are a proven playoff killer. Dame is cold blooded and he knows. The rest of the league knows it as well. Dame may not play much defense, but he won't have to on the Bucks. They have Giannis. They have Brook Lopez. They have bench guys willing to play defense on the perimeter. They have Middleton. This team is loaded and now they added a pure scorer.
Lillard teaming up with Giannis is the modern day Kobe and Shaq duo. I saw other people saying this and it is so true. I mean, try guarding those two guys. Oh, and then try guarding Khris Middleton after that. They are going to score a bunch of points. Giannis is going to give Lillard so many open looks it is almost unfair. Lillard is going to draw defenders out to the perimeter, opening the lane for Giannis. Teams won't be able to lay off and clog the lane like they have before. Then Middleton is going to have so many wide open looks from all over the floor. Then you have guys like Malik Beasley and Pat Connauhgton and Bobby Portis and Jae Crowder that are going to find themselves so wide open it is going to be laughable.
The Bucks are clearly, clearly making a big push for a ring this season. To roll out Dame, Middleton, Crowder, Giannis and Brook Lopez, that is a killer of a lineup. It truly has it all. They have the defense, the big man that is unstoppable, the killer mid range shooter, the other big man that can shoot threes and block shots and now one of the greatest pressure shooters of all time. This move instantly pushes the Bucks to the top of the east for me. They are better than Boston, Philly and Cleveland. They are way better than any other playoff team. This is a championship roster.
I love this movie from the Bucks. I bet Giannis is thrilled right about now. I also bet Damian Lillard is so stoked to play for the Bucks as well. This is a winning move on every level. I absolutely love it. I cannot wait to watch this team play this season. What a day. What a move. Good job Milwaukee.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.