Dame Dolla aint worth a Nickle
Damien Lillard being traded to the Bucks should not effect the Celtics chances as a championship IF Tatum takes the necessary steps forward in his elevation to solidify himself as a top 3 player in the NBA. If Tatum takes the next step in leadership and closing in the clutch he’ll be better than both Lillard and Giannis.
The Bucks have taken a major step backwards defensively and are extremely thin beyond Giannis and Dame. I understand Middleton is an excellent basketball player. He’s a great #3. Or at least he was. He’s going to need to prove he can stay healthy. Speaking of staying healthy… as a Celtics fan tell me if you’ve heard this story before. Ageing point guard with leg injury history.. It’s clique and obvious to point out the Bucks need to stay healthy to compete, but it’s a more acute situation for them than the Celtics. Boston can afford to lose Brown for his patented 16-20 game injury. I don’t think the Bucks can stay the same about Lillard.
Oh and Lillard as a “winner”? Ummm, well.
22-39 in the playoffs
25.5pts -6.2 asst -4.5 reb
37% from 3
Made conference finals once. Swept by Warriors
One and done 5 times
Missed playoffs 4 times
That’s not horrible out side of the record. Who cares about wins when you’re droppin 30 ammiright? He did not have the best teams, but the CJ McCollum and Carmelo Anthony teams were better than what they got out of them. Dame Dolla’s persona has a gamer and winner has yet to really be calculated. If will be now. Can he show the ability to lead through winning basketball or will Dame Time prove to be another small market star who put up a bunch of numbers and hid behind the “they wont get me any help” moniker?
How do the Bucks plan to match up against the Celtics? Is Giannis finally going to take the challenge of an on ball defender against the top player? Can Giannis even guard Tatum or Brown on the perimeter? Beyond that they have Lopez as a rim protector who should be spread out wide against Porzingus. Middelton has lost a step and never confused for an all time defender. Pat Connington.. white. And Dame is a 6’ 2” 195 shooter. Derek White makes him look small.
I’m not trying to say the Celtics are head and shoulder better. Talent generally out weighs everything else in that league. I expect the competition between these two clubs to be great this year. I’m just saying the Celtics have built in a greater margin of error with their roster this year and if Tatum develops into a true closer then forget it.