The Milwaukee Bucks can’t catch a break. Tough fought battles, but usually the same result, a loss. It is no secret the Bucks have struggled since the season began. Now their record stands at 2-8. They suffered two narrow losses to the unbeaten Cavaliers, including a two-point defeat in Cleveland on Monday when Antetokounmpo sat out. However, they bounced back with a 23-point win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday. But, again, in a close game with the Boston Celtics, it’s the champions who’ve emerged victorious instead.

Damian Lillard struggled throughout the game against the C’s, looking far from his usual self. In 35 minutes, he managed 14 points, shooting a poor 4-of-15, including 1-of-8 from deep. It was a tough night for him, with several air balls—something we don’t often see from a shooter of his caliber. He also turned the ball over thrice and picked up 3 fouls, adding to his off-night. Doc Rivers was quick to come in support of the 8x All-Star.

With himself being under solid scrutiny, the head coach admitted in the post-match presser that they couldn’t get Dame the “help” he required. He felt that the C’s blocked the 6-foot-2 guard effectively and switched on him well. Doc elaborated, “Yeah. When he’s off the ball, we gotta make sure we have a better scheme to get him open, to get back open. He hasn’t played off the ball a lot, but when he is off the ball, we want him to come to the ball. We got to make sure proper screens are set for him.”

Doc also remarked that Dame is doing a lot of stuff that he hasn’t done before. He said, “He out switching and trapping and pressuring”.  But in a true leader’s spirit Dame had said just a while ago, “Um but you just you can never be the team to fold, you know you got to keep answering the call and keep pushing forward and that’s what we’re gonna do.”

When will the Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo axis take effect?

The Bucks‘ headline acquisition for 2023, All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, hasn’t quite settled in yet, as hoped. Though Dame Time looks like a natural fit for Giannis on paper, the chemistry between the duo is still a work in progress. While they have had the time to find their rhythm, lingering roster weaknesses continue to be a big hurdle for this team. The ex-Blazers Guard and the 2x MVP are yet to fully click. Although both have posted several 30+ point games, their individual scoring hasn’t stemmed from a shared chemistry.

Fortunately, the more time they spend on the floor together, the better that connection becomes. A critical factor is Giannis becoming comfortable with setting screens for Lillard, something he has historically struggled with. Watching him stand firm on picks beyond the arc, though, is a refreshing shift.

“It’s a lot more natural,” Lillard said. “Last year, it was like, ‘Oh, they have to play two-man.’ Practice felt so scripted, with too much pressure on what we were supposed to do. Now, with more time, reps, and communication, we’re truly getting in sync,” Dame added on 8th November after the Utah Jazz game.

Giannis was on the same page as well, as he said, “I feel like we’re getting more comfortable with each other. You know, there’s gonna be time that he’s gonna have the ball and go make play and there’s gonna be times. I’m gonna have the ball, make a play for him.”

But they have been already playing together for a season and a half. Shouldn’t they have figured it out by now? We’re talking about the NBA and the Bucks here, who are 2-8 with a new head coach and the franchise’s talisman on the brink of making a headlining trade.