By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo is excited to join forces with Damian Lillard.
“He is like a guard version of me,” Antetokounmpo described his new teammate, “Just quiet, goes about his business, takes care of his family, shows up, practices very hard, helps his teammate. When he needs to be vocal, he is vocal. When he does not want to be vocal, he does not say much. And when the game starts, he is just a killer.”
They combined for 30 points, 16 for the Freak and 14 for Lillard.
“We have a long way to go. It is just preseason. We have the Regular Season. We have Playoffs. Hopefully, we could have some luck on our side. Stay healthy. Build good habits,” mentioned Antetokounmpo, “When it matters the most, to be ready.”
However, sharing the court with the 33-year-old point guard was refreshing.
“I have not been this much open for the last five to seven years,” he projected opportunities for himself and teammates with opponents looking to contain Lillard, “I have never seen anybody being double-teamed from the first possession of the game.”
With two friendlies, against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Tuesday and opposite the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum on Friday, Khris Middleton is expected to be cleared for action and join Antetokounmpo and Lillard at the bottom end of the Preseason.