LAS VEGAS — Following the conclusion of the NBA Cup final, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo shared a moment of celebration, with Antetokounmpo proudly holding the MVP trophy and Lillard celebrating with the larger championship trophy. This moment marked a significant achievement for Lillard, who had long envisioned experiencing a team success like this.
Lillard, who has an impressive list of accolades including being named Rookie of the Year and an All-Star MVP, acknowledged that while his ultimate aspiration remains to clinch an NBA championship, the triumph in the NBA Cup holds considerable value in his 13-year career. “I’ve had a lot of individual accomplishments,” Lillard expressed after the Bucks triumphed over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final by a score of 97-81. “But to have team success and to be the last team standing in this tournament feels amazing.”
The Bucks, guided by championship coach Doc Rivers, possess a solid core that includes key players from their 2021 title-winning squad, such as Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez, along with Lillard, one of the league’s top guards. Despite a rocky start to the season with a record of 1-6 and 2-8, the team maintained confidence in their abilities and has since emerged as one of the league’s strongest competitors, finishing the in-season tournament undefeated with a 7-0 record. Winning the NBA Cup serves as a potent reminder of the Bucks’ capabilities.
“I think it shows us that we can defeat anyone,” Rivers stated, emphasizing the importance of their internal belief over external validation. “I also mentioned from day one that we could just as easily lose to anyone if we don’t perform correctly.”
With Antetokounmpo and Lillard leading the way, it comes as little surprise that the duo is finding success. They have consistently performed at an All-Star level, combining to average over 58 points per game, making them the highest-scoring duo in the league. In the NBA Cup final, they proved to be the standout players—Antetokounmpo achieved a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists while Lillard contributed 23 points.
The transition into their partnership in Milwaukee, following Lillard’s eleven-year tenure in Portland, has shown improvement from Year 1 to Year 2. Lillard noted that initial expectations of immediate chemistry due to both players’ high-caliber performances were unrealistic. “I’ve always had the ball in my hands, and he’s spent a decade doing the same,” Lillard explained. He added that developing trust and understanding takes time, which has been a key factor in their growing synergy on the court.
Time has also granted Lillard the chance to regain his form. Last season, he averaged 24.3 points and 7 assists per game, numbers that are stellar for any player, but he felt uneasy in his new environment. Fortunately, he has rediscovered his rhythm. “Focusing on being healthy, my training, and having the right mindset coming into the season made a significant difference for me,” Lillard said. “After our playoff exit last year, I expressed that people would see my progress.”
The regular season is far from over, as there remains more than two-thirds left to play. Their next challenge lies ahead with a matchup against Cleveland, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, alongside defending champions Boston. The road ahead is laden with challenges and fluctuations.
“I’m truly happy for Dame that we’ve captured our first trophy together,” Antetokounmpo remarked. “This is merely the beginning. We need to keep improving and getting better, and we will.”