1 Pivotal conversation made all the difference for chemistry between Bucks stars

The Milwaukee Bucks' acquisition of Damian Lillard a season ago understandably sparked excitement and anticipation among fans and analysts alike. The idea of their complementarity style was just so compelling from a basketball standpoint; pairing one of the best outside scorers with the best interior threat just made a lot of sense.

As the duo of Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo begins to mature, their chemistry has since become a focal point of the team's strategy heading into the new season. And the two have given fans much reason to believe things will be better this time around.

Down two against the Chicago Bulls early in the season, Damian Lillard was clearly tracking Antetokounmpo all the way down the court in transition. The two made eye contact once the latter was able to jostle his way into good position right under the basket. Immediately recognizing that his teammate got the early seal on Patrick Williams, Lillard threw the ball to a place where only Giannis could catch it, and the result was the first Dame-Giannis alley-oop of the 2024-25 NBA season.

And up against the Washington Wizards, the pairing had perhaps their best game as a duo: Giannis finished with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Lillard finished with 25 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists. It was clear the two had finally learned to play with and around one another.

As their chemistry continues to grow, it may all lead back to one pivotal moment in their relationship that eventually came to lay the groundwork for what could be a transformative partnership in the NBA.

Damian Lillard remembered one moment as the turning point

During a playoff series against the Indiana Pacers last season, both Lillard and Antetokounmpo found themselves sidelined for Game 4.

While their teammates warmed up, the two superstars remained in the locker room, an unexpected setting for a crucial conversation. Lillard recounted this particular moment during his media day interview with reporters to start the NBA season.

"Everybody went out to warm up, and me and him were the only two people in the locker room. And I just told him, ‘I don't know what's going to happen, but me and you gotta get connected. We gotta get something done,’ and he agreed. Once he agreed, the conversation went a whole different way after that. It went a whole different day after that and it became a much more open conversation. From there it just went into the summer.”

They didn't know it yet at the time, of course, but this exchange would go on to mark something of a turning point for the pair. It was an explicit acknowledgment that building a connection was not just about sharing the court and playing basketball for 48 minutes; it was about establishing a deeper understanding of each other's games and personalities. They weren't just offensive fulcrums; they were supposed to be leaders together of a team with championship aspirations.

And that would mean putting in the work to connect, no matter how uncomfortable it would be.

Unfortunately, the two eventually spent the summer apart and were unable to find the time to meet up and work on their basketball chemistry. But at an early press conference to start the NBA season, Lillard emphasized that while physical workouts are essential, communication is paramount for building effective on-court chemistry.

And communication is exactly what they built up that summer.

“I think that's more important than us getting on the court and working out together and all that stuff. You can work out until you're blue in the face and then as soon as I say something in the game or you say something in the game, and it doesn't register or be received, it's not going to work how you want it to work. But I think that communication was open and I think that was the most important thing,” he said then.

As the season progressed, Damian Lillard noted that their relationship evolved significantly.

This gradual development of trust allowed both players to critique each other constructively, fostering an environment where feedback could be exchanged freely. By the end of the season, they had not only improved their on-court synergy but had also forged a bond off the court.

“I think it took time for it to get to that point where I can say what I need to say to you, and it doesn't have to be negative or mean that I'm coming at you, but I can say it and know that you're going to take it as what I think the best thing is and vice versa. I think we've had plenty of conversations about stuff like that, but once it got later in the season it got more and more,” Lillard said.

As they began to integrate their styles into gameplay, Lillard and Antetokounmpo's pick-and-roll dynamics became increasingly effective. Initially, they struggled to find rhythm due to limited practice time together in this specific set.

With more opportunities to work together during practices and games, they developed an instinctual understanding of each other's movements—a crucial element for any successful duo in basketball.

Lillard and Giannis are better for having had this conversation

To start the season, Lillard seemed to prefer running the pick-and-roll with another big man: Brook Lopez. That was only a blessing in disguise, as Lillard eventually repaired his chemistry with Antetokounmpo anyway.

With an entire offseason behind them and a commitment to continuous improvement, Lillard and Antetokounmpo are poised to make significant strides as a pairing. Their mutual understanding has laid a strong foundation for what could be one of the league's most potent offensive combinations.

"I think the number one thing, I don't even think it was actually learning his game. I think being in practice with him and watching him work out, I mean, ten games with him, I was able to see how he thinks, what he's used to, like, I was able to see that really fast. But I think with the time, it was just a matter of, like, he's a superstar and I come from a situation where I'm the superstar. And I just think it takes time to be able to communicate freely and say what needs to be said," Lillard said of the process of getting acclimated in his new partnership with Antetokounmpo.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in the middle of a critical season filled with high expectations. The moment they shared that conversation in the locker room may have been just one instance, but it may have made all the difference for the burgeoning partnership.

At any rate, the fruits are clear today for everyone to see.