After their overtime loss to the Pacers on March 12th, the Bucks have finally exacted revenge on them. A comfortable 126-119 win at the Fiserv was exactly what the Doc ordered. The first game saw star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard playing like they meant it. Just like the first leg, the two showed up with a double-double each to solidify the 4th position in the East for Milwaukee.
Speaking of Dame, the man has aged like fine wine. More like 34-years-young for the Oakland native. He’s already cemented his legacy in the game as one of the greats — being the spearhead of the Trail Blazers for more than a decade. But since joining the Bucks in 2023, he’s shown his worthiness of being a fantastic support too. And according to him, it suits his style of play perfectly.
During the Pacers postgame press, Lillard talked about his love for playing off the ball, which Giannis makes possible. “You not having to use as much energy so you stay more fresh throughout the game. And then, knowing that he can go make it happen, he can make a play, he can score, and we can be comfortable with that. So I think for me that’s been my biggest joy in that. Being able to play off the ball and not be on the ball so much. So I might definitely think that’s gonna be a weapon for us, especially in the playoffs where I don’t have to handle the ball so much.”
But this comes at a cost. He was on Hawks’ guard Trae Young’s podcast ‘From The Point‘, where he highlighted the challenges of playing with someone of the Greek’s profile. “One of the cons is having to adjust to [his competitiveness]. I come from a situation where I was having the ball all the time. And now I have the ball in my hands, but it’s an adjustment having to do it around him. He has to change to doing it around me, and I gotta change to doing it around him. I wouldn’t even say that as a con, I would say that’s where the challenge is.”
Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks wore a small patch to honor former player Junior Bridgeman who passed away this week. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The fact that he’s chosen to take the back seat and let Giannis do what he does is perfect for Doc Rivers’ system. But again, this comes with a price to pay. Not just to Notre Dame, but to Doc who’s trying to sustain a character like him at the Bucks.
Doc Rivers admits bias towards Giannis Antetokounmpo
The league has shown the teams hitching their hopes onto one player and profiting. Despite someone like Damian Lillard, the Bucks main guy is obviously Giannis. The two-time MVP has averaged a ridiculous 30.6 PPG, 12.1 RPG and 5.9 APG while shooting 60.5% from the field. He’s definitely putting his case forward as an outside contender for another MVP.
But during the Pacers postgame press, Doc said, “I was talking to one of the better coaches in the league. And he brought it up. I said ‘what the hell is he doing talking about Giannis?’ And he’s like, he is doing different stuff. His assists keep going up. I don’t know what the guy has to do but I’m not gonna campaign. I’m not gonna do that. He is a forgotten guy, for what he’s doing for a basketball team, for sure.”
Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
This is more one of those ‘do your thing mate‘ idealogies that a lot of coaches follow. A lot of teams have players with a larger-than-life personalities. While some choose to establish authority head on, people like Doc are benefitting from letting Giannis do what he does best — dominate.
The Bucks seem primed to get their third ever ring. With Damian Lillard looking better than ever and Giannis not stopping his superiority over the rest of the league, it’s upto Doc to get them over the line yet again.
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