Damian Lillard is gaining positive momentum from everything and everyone around him. Despite a thumping loss to his Bucks in the recent preseason game, he lets his Instagram family know that he is getting ready for the big time. Should the Bucks seek solace from it, or see it as an excuse for not living up to the hype? And what about OKC who dished out that beating to the Bucks?

There is something special about this OKC team. They play with such joy and youthful exuberance that it is fun to watch them. Everybody is rooting for this underdog team. But are they really an underdog?

Walking on the eggshells.

Damian Lillard is feeling the heat of being a contender. He titled his earlier quote on Instagram along the lines of pressure and weight of the world when the Milwaukee Bucks won the game against the Lakers. Now, in his second game, the Bucks had gone down. In fact, it was a 124 -101 thumping loss to the OKC. Lillard could only get 5 measly points in his 25 minutes in the game. And his Instagram post was “game legs slowly returning.” Except for his most loyal fans, this may come across as nothing but an abysmal excuse to the rest.

When Lillard’s trade to Milwaukee happened, the only question raised by pundits of the game was about the Bucks’ defense. Jrue Holiday was a defensive point guard, and even when he had a low-scoring game, his impact on the team was a net positive because of his smothering defense. Lillard is not like Giannis or Jrue. He has to score to make his presence worthwhile on the team. And in this game against OKC, it became blatantly evident that, if he did not score, the Bucks would be under immense pressure.

Good times for OKC

OKC is going to be a genuine contender sooner than later. And if Chet Holmgren continues to build from here, this team will be a lethal one. The NBA media are still fantasizing about the likes of the Lakers, the Clippers, and the Warriors along with the Suns and the Champions Denver to top the west. With all the right pieces in place, OKC has a young well-balanced team to shatter that top 5 rankings this year.

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By the look of things, the NBA has primed for the return of the big men. These big men are not the paint-hogging tough guys, but nimble-footed athletic giants with handles. Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama are going to create history if they remain healthy.

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