Damian Lillard praises prominent Bucks’ X-factor after strong season opener

The Milwaukee Bucks kicked off their 2024-25 NBA season with a thrilling matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, and while the spotlight often shines on superstars like Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was Gary Trent Jr.'s defensive prowess that truly caught the eye.

In a game that was competitive right up until halftime, Trent emerged as a vital component of Milwaukee's backline defense.

From the opening tip-off, Trent's defensive intensity was palpable. Tasked with guarding Philadelphia's best player in Tyrese Maxey, he displayed remarkable physicality. His ability to stay attached to his man limited Maxey's effectiveness, holding the latter to just 32.3 percent shooting from the field, a testament to his commitment on that end of the court.

(It's also an absolutely meaningless stat given the limited sample size and how early it is, but Trent's 102.7 points given up per 100 possessions is top 10 among guards with at least 30 minutes played in defensive rating, according to NBA.com/stats.)

After the game, Damian Lillard had this to say about Trent's defense to reporters:

“He may not have a reputation for it, but I've seen him do it. I've seen him in practice, I've seen him in plenty of games where I knew he was capable of that. You know, he puts his mind to it, and tonight, he came in on a mission.

He knows his role on our team; he knows what we need for us to win, and I think tonight was just the first time out he showed that he's committed to doing that, you know, guarding a guy that fast, that explosive, can shoot, goes both ways, constantly having the ball, and he was there for the whole game. That's the type of effort that we're going to need."

Trent is surprisingly looking like the defenders Milwaukee has needed

Much has been said about Trent’s reputation as a defender. But he’s been proving them wrong so far as the starting shooting guard for Milwaukee. He still bites on crafty fakes, gets stuck on screens and concedes switches rather easily, but he generally did an excellent job staying in front of a spitfire guard like Tyrese Maxey, even with the latter’s quickness.

Look, he's obviously no Jrue Holiday replacement, but on a team like the Milwaukee Bucks, Trent's role on the defensive end is clear: he's not expected to clamp his matchups altogether, just to stop them long enough for Lopez or Antetokounmpo to come over and help defense.

And he’s played this role to a tee.

One-on-one, the lion's share of NBA defense is energy and effort. You can say what you want about his screen navigation and ability to stay in front, but you can't take anything away from the heart and hustle we've seen so far from his intensity chasing offensive players off the ball, for instance. The Sixers dished out quite a bit of physicality this game, and Trent absorbed bumps well while keeping his hands up and defending without fouling.

At the end of the day, you can't teach long arms or active hands. That's what you get from Trent, who has mastered the art of using his physical tools to deter shots.

Trent's defensive responsibilities are even more critical, given Lillard's own struggles on that end of the floor. Trent stepping up alleviates some pressure from Lillard, allowing him to conserve energy for scoring and playmaking duties. This dynamic could be pivotal as the Milwaukee Bucks navigate through a grueling season.

As the Bucks continue their campaign, Trent’s ability to maintain this level of defensive excellence will be crucial. The NBA season is long and demanding; consistency is key. If he can keep up this intensity and contribute offensively—he scored 11 points in the opener—Milwaukee could solidify its status as a top contender in the Eastern Conference.

While Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo may headline the Bucks' roster, Gary Trent Jr.'s emergence as a defensive stalwart could very well be what propels Milwaukee deeper into the playoffs. As fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead, one thing is clear: Trent’s defense will be a storyline worth following closely this season.

“I just remember him being extremely confident…his belief in himself made me a believer in him, We got into the bubble and he was playing a lot of minutes for us. He was guarding everyone, making big shots, we put him on LeBron and we ended up beating them in game one…I’m excited to be his teammate again,” Lillard also said earlier of his new teammate in Trent.