Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter Damian Lillard feeling comfortable firing 3-point shots from anywhere
Damian Lillard and Giannis on Lillard’s All-Star Game MVP performance
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo speak on Lillard’s All-Star Game MVP performance in Indianapolis on Feb. 19, 2024.
Are we still debating the Milwaukee flag thing?
Here’s an idea: Use Damian Lillard’s three-pointers-made shot chart. It looks like a brilliant sunrise emerging from Lake Michigan, especially with the longest streaks filling up the horizon – marking Lillard’s ridiculously long-distance three-point makes from every part of the arc.
It’s a thing of beauty for sure, even if Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers doesn’t want to look at it.
“I don’t want to − too scary,” Rivers said.
While Lillard’s three-point shooting has ticked downward a bit since he arrived in Milwaukee a season and a half ago, the newest member of the NBA’s 22,000-points-scored club is such a threat from anywhere beyond the three-point line that it becomes a game within the game to see how far back he’ll line up and shoot.
It’s a more naturally looking shot now, too, after he just needed some time to get more comfortable with Milwaukee’s offensive structure and personnel.
In Lillard’s final four seasons in Portland, from 2019-23, he averaged 10.2, 10.5, 9.8 and 11.3 three-point attempts per game – all among the highest averages for his career.
But when he first got to Milwaukee, that average dipped to 8.5 last season.
Lillard was acquired by the Bucks in part for his three-point marksmanship but an adjustment period was needed. Not only was Lillard trying to fit in with the guards and forwards, and take over at point, it’s good to remember that Lillard joined a team with three bigs – Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo – who consistently shot threes. Lopez is among the best-shooting big men all-time in the NBA – ninth overall with 1,014.
This season, Lillard is taking more threes, and making 3.5 of 8.9 attempts on average. He’s ranked 12th in the NBA in made threes.
Antetokounmpo has attempted only 26 three-pointers all year and in some games has appeared to abandon the shot altogether in favor of his newly minted mid-range shot, which has been effective.
Meanwhile, recovering from double ankle surgery and coming off the bench, Khris Middleton’s three-point numbers are also significantly down.
The Bucks want the three-point shot to remain a proficient way of scoring and there’s no doubt that it’s Lillard’s shot to take freely. Rivers said that he asks nothing of Lillard when it comes to where he can fire from long range, whether it’s a 24-, 26- or 28-footer and beyond.
“Him and Brook − I think they’re having a competition working: who can make the furthest three?” Rivers said. “They both shoot them easy, but Dame’s range … when you think about his size and how deep he can shoot, and it’s easy for him − it’s pretty amazing.”
Lillard kind of makes a face ‘are you serious’ when asked: He doesn’t study the analytics or the shot chart. He’s been known for his three-pointers his whole career. The analytics are for us. For the 6-foot-2 veteran, it’s all about reading the defense before him.
“I take them because I can make them and it forces the defense to play from further out,” Lillard said. “And I have more space to attack downhill, just because I know I can make that shot. So that’s it. I don’t look at like, you said, the shot chart of where I’m shooting at.”
The three-point line is 22 feet away from the corners and stretches out to 23 feet, 9 inches at the arc, and Lillard has taken 248 shots − by far his most − from 25 to 29 feet this year. He’s made 98.
“I think it’s just cleaner looks. It’s not as good of a contest, it’s not as much of a crowd so deep,” Lillard said. “That probably has something to do with it, just a more comfortable shot because of the lack of pressure and contest.”
Either way, it’s up to him, where to line up and shoot; Rivers said he extends the same freedom to Lillard on the three that he does to Antetokounmpo for the mid-range.
“I have none, Dame, Giannis,” Rivers said. “You know, I keep saying it, that’s the restrictions. When you give them freedom, you know they have to restrict themselves on and take shots that they think they can make. And when they don’t, they actually know it. They’ll glance over at me every once in a while. I just smile back.”
Milwaukee, WI
NBA Trade Rumor: Milwaukee Bucks' proposed blockbuster trade could bring $215 million Bull's All-Star on board with Khris Middleton as key asset | NBA News – The Times of India
The Milwaukee Bucks are eyeing a trade to bolster their roster for the 2025 season, and their sights are set on a few big-name stars. With the season halfway through, rumors have emerged about the team’s interest in Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, and Bradley Beal. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the Bucks may only manage to land one of these superstars, but LaVine could be the ideal option.
A proposed five-team trade scenario outlined by Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor involves the Milwaukee Bucks making a major move for LaVine. In this deal, the Bucks would acquire Zach LaVine, while the Chicago Bulls would receive Beal and draft capital. The Phoenix Suns would trade Butler to the Bucks, the Miami Heat would land Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and draft capital, and the Detroit Pistons would receive Bobby Portis.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton tries to get past Orlando Magic’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup tournament quarterfinals basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
One of the main hurdles in making this trade happen is the Milwaukee Bucks’ position with the NBA’s tax apron. Since they’ve exceeded the second tax apron, they cannot aggregate players in a trade unless it keeps them below the tax threshold. This situation makes players like Connaughton and Portis valuable trade assets. While Connaughton could be moved to a team like the Pistons to absorb his contract, Portis is more likely to go, given his role in the Bucks’ rotation.
The real appeal of Zach LaVine, however, lies in his youth and current form. Unlike Butler and Beal, LaVine offers the Milwaukee Bucks a star with more prime years ahead of him. This season, LaVine has been playing at a high level, averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He is also shooting career-highs across the board, with 51.3% from the field and 45.1% from three-point range.
In contrast to Butler and Beal, who are both older, Zach LaVine’s upside is clear, and he has been more effective this season. If the Bucks are serious about making a playoff run, LaVine could be the key piece to push them forward.
Also read: LA Lakers Trade Rumor: GM Rob Pelinka eyes $41 million Pacers center to support LeBron James and co. prior trade deadline; upgrade from prior trade speculations?
While no trade is without its complications, this proposal shows that if Milwaukee is looking to make a bold move, LaVine might be their best bet for both immediate and long-term success.
Heat vs Bucks Game HighlightsThe Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat, 125-96.
Milwaukee Bucks Top Performers Miami Heat Top Performers The Milwaukee Bucks move to 25-17, while the Miami Heat fall to 21-22.
Damian Lillard – 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 5 3PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo – 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
Gary Trent Jr. – 21 PTS, 7 3PM (season-high)
Kel’el Ware – 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 3PM
Tyler Herro – 21 points, 9 assists, 4 3PM
Could Jimmy Butler to the Milwaukee Bucks really happen?
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski on the Point Forward Podcast discusses the likelihood of a Jimmy Butler trade to Milwaukee
INGLEWOOD, California – The Milwaukee Bucks are tied as the NBA’s hottest team as they take a five-game winning streak (matching the Memphis Grizzlies) on the road and face the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.
Milwaukee led by as many as 11 points early in the first quarter but Los Angeles went 11-for-11 from the free throw line to tie it up at 28 after one quarter. The Bucks were called for seven personal fouls, including two each for Khris Middleton, Andre Jackson Jr. and Ryan Rollins. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 11 points for the Bucks while James Harden had 10 for the Clippers.
The Bucks made their first trip to the newly-built Intuit Dome in Inglewood, where the Clippers are 16-8.
Los Angeles (25-19) has won five of their last seven games heading into tonight’s contest. Milwaukee (25-17) is just 8-10 on the road this season.
Is Giannis playing?
Probably. The MVP candidate continues to manage pain in his right knee, but he has yet to miss a game with the issue he’s been managing since training camp.
What happened to P.J. Tucker?
Milwaukee fan favorite P.J. Tucker, a key part of the 2021 championship team, has not played a game this season despite being on the Clippers roster. Officially listed as “away from the team,” the 39-year-old forward hasn’t played a regular-season game for the Clippers since April 14 of last season as he’s wanted a trade out of Los Angeles for several seasons.
He is making $11 million this season, in the final year of a three-year, $33.2 million deal initially signed with Philadelphia in 2022.
What time is the Bucks game?
It’s a late start with the team in California, tipping off at about 9:30 p.m. CT.
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.
- AJ Green, out (left quad strain)
- Bobby Portis Jr., out (personal reasons)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (right patella tendinopathy)
- Khris Middleton, probable (bilateral ankle surgery injury management)
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Andre Jackson Jr., Damian Lillard
- Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
- Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs. Clippers odds, over/under
Los Angeles is a 2.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 225.5 points per BetMGM.
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