Following a riveting NBA Cup journey, the Milwaukee Bucks seemed to return to their old mistakes again. Defensively, they were failing to stay organized. And on the offense, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were the only ones who prevailed. But their last eight games have got a stark change. While the Greek Freak has continued to stay dominant, there’s been a large change in his right-hand man.

Tonight the win against the Raptors was Milwaukee’s seventh win in their last eight games. The team itself has come together well. But in particular, Lillard has made it a point to pressure the rim and take advantage of the spacing the Bucks present. The switch didn’t come during the early stages of the season when Lillard hesitated in unloading himself. However, some motivation from assistant coach Vin Baker gave him confidence in himself.

“Just talking to me and Vin Baker maybe about two and a half weeks ago, we had a really long phone conversation where he was just like it’s actually time for you to just go be who you are. Don’t worry about doing the right thing and all that stuff like you play the right way as it is. It’s time for you to just take off and go. Don’t worry about nothing. Be Dame Lillard. And because of the relationship I have with him I know he wouldn’t just be saying that to me just because,” said Damian Lillard.

Dame Dolla admits the conversation “freed” him from holding himself back. And in the last five games, his impact has been instrumental in the Bucks’ rampaging run. He is averaging two fewer triples, but his efficiency is off the chart. Putting up 26 points per game in that stretch, Lillard’s attack-first mentality has been vital. And the four-time All-Star’s words allowed Lillard to revert to his natural predatory instincts.

“I always wanted to show that my intentions are right. Sometimes that can take away from your aggressiveness or your attack mode. But I think that conversation really did something for me. It’s allowed to just take off and go,” he said about Baker.

The other dimension of Damian Lillard’s improvement

Offensively, it was only a matter of time before Damian Lillard got going. In his off time, he is constantly studying and finding ways to improve. Aside from his talk with Baker, his routine never changed. “My routine stayed the same. I just start watching film and looking for areas that I can help myself. Where I might be having turnovers or might be opportunities for me to keep attacking,” said the seasoned guard.

But there has been another revolution in his game which took even Doc Rivers by shock.

“Dame’s intensity has been terrific. It really has. There was a stretch in the first quarter where I thought he was our best defender on the floor at times. Brook and Giannis’ ability to attack the basket as far as blocking shots has been great. Dame’s mixing it up,” he said about the Bucks point guard.

Previously, backcourts took advantage of the defensive mismatch with Damian Lillard. In the recent stretch though, the 34-year-old is doing just enough to Antetokounmpo and Lopez, two premier shot blockers who set themselves for those attacking the rim. Additionally, his ferocity now to aim for points at the rim puts pressure on the opponents’ defensive schemes. Tonight, the Raptors were forced to foul often.

Such intensity on both ends of the floor has led to a resurgence for the Bucks. They now sit as the fourth seed in the West after barely being over .500 prior to this stretch. And without Damian Lillard making the necessary adjustments, it might not have been possible.