MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – The Milwaukee Bucks hosted members of the media on Monday as the league’s annual Media Day 2023 got underway.
Media members got their first opportunity to ask the team’s newest superstar, Damian Lillard, questions about the trade and what he thinks of his new team. “Coming into this situation is very, very easy,” he said. You look at Giannis (Antetokounmpo), you look at Khris (Middleton), you look at Brook (Lopez)… it was very easy to make sense of what my job was going to be,” Lillard said.
Lillard was excited about the pick-and-roll moves he can make with Antetokounmpo and how Giannis’ presence will help the defense focus less on him, saying, “Obviously, I’m a pick-and-roll player, and when I think about playing with him, I just think about how you defend it.” He continued, “But I’m excited. I think there is going to be a lot of opportunity for me out there because of how he is, and vice versa.”
When General Manager Jon Horst was asked about the impact of the trade on the team, he said, “We’re really excited about this team and the change that’s happening—the way that we’re going to play and just the dominance that hopefully we play with—so it’s a great opportunity for this organization, and we’re really excited about it.”
Bucks owner Wes Edens further echoed Horst’s excitement, saying, “Lillard is an extraordinary fit for the team we have, so I could not be more excited to see him with a number zero on his jersey here on opening night…and I think it’s a great opportunity for us and him. He’s been very vocal about wanting the chance to compete for a championship, and he’s been loyal to the city of Portland. Everyone I know out there loves him, and I just couldn’t be more excited for what he brings to the basketball court.”
Milwaukee fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look team on Sunday, October 8th as the Bucks welcome the Chicago Bulls to town for their first preseason game of the season.