Hours After “It’s Over” Remark, Stephen A. Smith Backtracks on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Pairing: “Not Willing to Go Any Further”

Out of the blue, we learned that Damian Lillard is heading to the Milwaukee Bucks. This came after months of speculation since the Guard announced that he was done with the Portland Trail Blazers. He wanted to go to the Miami Heat but instead, he is now going to be in Milwaukee. And since The Greek Freak is there, the pairing can wreak havoc. The possibilities on the offense through their inside-outside game are huge.

In that wake, it is not surprising that this development is receiving a lot of praise. For Stephen A. Smith, this move meant that no one could stop the Bucks from winning a title. However, he has changed his tune.

Stephen A. Smith felt this was the best for Damian Lillard 

A few hours before the trade, Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith were discussing murmurs of the Raptors as a contender to land Lillard. Then the two discussed where the guard has the best chance of winning a title. Sharpe, without a doubt, expressed, ”Go to Milwaukee. He wanna compete, go to Milwaukee. It’s over”.

As the veteran ESPN analyst replied to this suggestion, Sharpe kept repeating “It’s over”. The long-time ESPN contributor assented to those notions and said, “That’s another way. If he’d land in Milwaukee, it’s over. I agree with that. I’d pick Milwaukee to win a championship if Damian Lillard was there. I’d agree with that”. Upon hearing this, the former Undisputed analyst kept saying, ”Yes” in a high pitch.

However, after the trade has been announced, the long-time ESPN associate is being cautious. Joining Molly Qerim, Kendrick Perkins, and Brian Windhorst on his First Take, the analyst gave his two cents. Acknowledging that this is a “perfect” and “ideal fit”, he went on to discuss the expectations from the team.

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Apparently, for him, the duo of Giannis and Dame doesn’t mean that there is a surefire championship.

What’s the Bucks ceiling?

The veteran commentator stated, “There is no doubt that it appears to be a perfect fit for Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. It appears to be exactly what he needed. Jrue Holiday after the next year, I mean he’s approaching the last year of his deal essentially. Khris Middleton still question marks about his health. When you consider the size they have, the defensive prowess they have. What you were lacking was a closer and a sniper, the likes of Damian Lillard. And you certainly have that right now.”

He added, “You’re talking about two of the top six scorers in the game that’s on the same squad right now. So I definitely think you can’t argue with the fact that this is an ideal fit that can catapult the Milwaukee Bucks to a easily be in the top-two team in the Eastern Conference and a top three team in all of the NBA. I think that’s what you can say. I am not willing to go any further than that.”

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But will The Greek Freak be satisfied with just that? Considering the Bucks had the best record in the league last season, it can be a title or bust season for both players.