Damian Lillard struggles big time right now

[kingr]

I'm still trying to defend him but all these 14-16point games and terrible shooting is concerning. I wouldn't expect such a drop off in skill from someone who scored 70+ less than 12 months ago.

Kobe could still score a 50 burger in his last year prior to retiring in the right circumstance, doesn't mean he can go out and average 30+ppg during the season. Father time is undefeated, if you look at Lillard's last 4 years there's a clear downward transition in statistics on efficiency, and production, last year was an outlier in that downward transition as he aged. So are we to take that last years Lillard is the norm or an aberration factoring the whole history of his statistics heading downward which now correlates to this years overall production.

The only other thing that could be factored here outside of coaching issues(he is surrounded by the best team he has ever had, the amount of open shots he gets vs Portland Lillard should promote more efficiency), being out of shape issues(people say this but there's videos of him online working out on vacation everywhere he went), is that perhaps he doesn't care as much and was traded to a place he never wanted to be in.

You make some good points. My thing is, if last year was an outlier and he had a great year, why would we assume he would just plummet this year? We wouldn't expect a huge drop off if he JUST had an outlier year.

[ConSarnit]

Jrue Holiday - 2.1 3PM on 44% shooting
Dame - 2.9 3PM on 34% shooting

That's not far from his career average of 37%. Dame has range, but he's never been a very high % shooter.

This season has lessened his volume though because he was to share the ball, which he isn't used to doing.

Dame also takes way tougher 3's than Jrue. 50% of Jrue's 3pa are catch and shoot and the majority of his shots (70%) are "wide open" (no defender within 6 feet). Only 35% of Dame's 3pa are catch and shoot and only 32% of his shots are "wide-open". Dame's 3pt% is down this year but historically he takes some of the most difficult 3's ever (probably 2nd only to Curry). Dame also shoots x2 the amount of above the break 3's compared to Jrue. Dame is the type of player who forces defenses to come out once he crosses half-court because he's a threat to pull the trigger at any time. Jrue just doesn't garner anywhere close to that type of defensive attention.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

The title is about Dame's struggles, fact of the matter is his numbers are down across the board. Which is exactly why I wasn't huge on the trade in the first place. Dame is declining and will likely be one of the worst contract in the league. No thanks.

its hard to imagine a hot take looking worse as fast as this one did

Lol uh huh

worst contract in the league is where the post became hysterical. that hasnt changed and wont change.

obviously the part about declining is captain obvious stuff but as long as hes in the all star starter all nba discussion then if nothing else... whether we win or lose.... his contract is tradeable for a kings ransom of some sort. much of why hes having a problem will be described as a fit problem whether its true or not is irrelevent

[IceColdCubano]

The Heat limped in and barely escaped the play-in before they went beast mode in the playoffs last year... this is cap

while true, Miami has a history of going into another gear, and coaching staff doing some really great schemes for playoff matchups specifically. They tend to do a lot of trial and error during the season and playing below their level during the regular season. If you feel that this applies to this Milwaukee team and coaching staff than ok, I will give you the Milwaukee fan the benefit of a doubt as you watch your team way more than I do.

Isn't that literally moving the goal post?

If it was the first we were having this conversation about what the Heat does in the regular season then yes absolutely goal post being carried across the line red handed, at this point we have 3 ECF and 2 Finals in the last 4 years for the Miami heat, with less than subpar regular seasons, one of them were they finished 1st seed was the only one you could considered that they should have been in the Finals. So until Miami stops being that team everyone cares nothing for in the regular season but nobody wants to play in the playoffs constantly beating higher seeds then this resets the narrative or any goal post moving.

[GiannisAnte34]

while true, Miami has a history of going into another gear, and coaching staff doing some really great schemes for playoff matchups specifically. They tend to do a lot of trial and error during the season and playing below their level during the regular season. If you feel that this applies to this Milwaukee team and coaching staff than ok, I will give you the Milwaukee fan the benefit of a doubt as you watch your team way more than I do.

Isn't that literally moving the goal post?

If it was the first we were having this conversation about what the Heat does in the regular season then yes absolutely goal post being carried across the line red handed, at this point we have 3 ECF and 2 Finals in the last 4 years for the Miami heat, with less than subpar regular seasons, one of them were they finished 1st seed was the only one you could considered that they should have been in the Finals. So until Miami stops being that team everyone cares nothing for in the regular season but nobody wants to play in the playoffs constantly beating higher seeds then this resets the narrative or any goal post moving.

other teams can also have this identity to lesser degrees. The Bucks won a ring as the 3rd seed and swept the Heat in the process

[Sign5]

its hard to imagine a hot take looking worse as fast as this one did

Lol uh huh

worst contract in the league is where the post became hysterical. that hasnt changed and wont change.

obviously the part about declining is captain obvious stuff but as long as hes in the all star starter all nba discussion then if nothing else... whether we win or lose.... his contract is tradeable for a kings ransom of some sort. much of why hes having a problem will be described as a fit problem whether its true or not is irrelevent

it will look terrible either way that's the point, you're arguing something that's not there.

The real point was Heat are better off keeping the "Dame package" than paying a declining 36 year old, Lowry pt 2. If you couldn't comprehend that then I don't know what to tell you.

[Eagle4]

How the turntables turn, the package needed to acquire Dame are already appearing more impactful in totality vs just singular Dame. Already.

This could very well just be a down year and Dame lights up again next year.

[TheShow2021]

How the turntables turn, the package needed to acquire Dame are already appearing more impactful in totality vs just singular Dame. Already.

This could very well just be a down year and Dame lights up again next year.

Given changing teammates, systems, cities, going through a divorce, (who knows if he's injured), I would give Dame the benefit of the doubt. What he did the year previous, was historically good. If he's like this again next year, it's probably safe to say he's washed.

[CobraCommander]

Let’s see how they look by January

Let’s push it to March

[Chuck Everett]

Those latter years gonna hurt.

[bisme37]

Earlier in the season posters were commenting on Dame's very poor energy and body language, and Bucks/Dame fans were biting their heads off and painting that as ridiculous.

Didn't Lillard's agent or "camp" or whatever straight up say he only wanted to play for Miami and other teams shouldn't trade for him?

Does Dame want to be in Milwaukee? Do he and Giannis even like each other, and does the rest of the team like Dame? Is the poor energy infecting the rest of the team?

I'm not trying to start anything as much as I'm trying to figure out why Dame is sucking so hard while looking like his dog died.

[dWadeOwnzYou]

I don't want to get into a player's personal business but, hasn't Lillard is in the process of getting a divorced amidst cheating/fall out with his wife? If true, that has to be on his mind and will continue until things are settled and sorted out on his end.

[Tottery]

Dame has never been a 50% shooter. In fact, his 2pt and 3pt fg% isn't even a 1% difference from last season, so this isn't some dramatic drop off. It's who he is.

What Dame is known for is clutch late game shots. He doesn't work with the bucks. He is a weak defender to boot.

[ItsDanger]

It was rumored he vetoed a trade to Toronto to appease team compete. Seems like it may have been fortunate it never happened. Been a rough season for him.

[Jabroni Lames]

Dolla' Store Steph

[Profound23]

Earlier in the season posters were commenting on Dame's very poor energy and body language, and Bucks/Dame fans were biting their heads off and painting that as ridiculous.

Didn't Lillard's agent or "camp" or whatever straight up say he only wanted to play for Miami and other teams shouldn't trade for him?

Does Dame want to be in Milwaukee? Do he and Giannis even like each other, and does the rest of the team like Dame? Is the poor energy infecting the rest of the team?

I'm not trying to start anything as much as I'm trying to figure out why Dame is sucking so hard while looking like his dog died.

Not trying to bite anyone's head off.

1.) Dame has always been a Barry Sanders type, emotionless, not too high or too low unless he hits game winning shots. Even then he just stands there flexing.

2.) Dame said himself last year if he could play with any player it would be Giannis. When asked about a potential trade to Milwaukee he basically said yes as long as Giannis is still there.

3.) There is always a chance he would be better/happier in Miami, but I still think he would miss his kids. Unless his wife and kids would've moved to Miami too.

[azcatz11]

I’m ready for a fresh round of loyalty tweets

[AntetokounmBros]

Earlier in the season posters were commenting on Dame's very poor energy and body language, and Bucks/Dame fans were biting their heads off and painting that as ridiculous.

Didn't Lillard's agent or "camp" or whatever straight up say he only wanted to play for Miami and other teams shouldn't trade for him?

Does Dame want to be in Milwaukee? Do he and Giannis even like each other, and does the rest of the team like Dame? Is the poor energy infecting the rest of the team?

I'm not trying to start anything as much as I'm trying to figure out why Dame is sucking so hard while looking like his dog died.

He seems to be getting along well with everyone (even Pat Bev so far). I think the divorce and being away from his kids is the worst part, along with all of the family and friends that moved to Portland with him from Oakland. It's also just been a rough year for the team in general with all the instability.

Probably doesn't help that this time of year is the most depressing in the upper midwest, especially compared to Miami. Even I'm counting down the weeks until everything starts coming back to life.

It's probably a mix of a lot of factors.

[Charlesareed]

The drop off from holiday to dame definitely is huge for the bucks the jumped the gun if you ask me all they needed was a Jordan clarkson terry razier type off the bench and all was well now their gonna be stuck in the 3-5 seeds for a while the Knicks Cavs and Philly are all better plus defense wins championships

[Roscoe Sheed]

I remember stating immediately after the trade that the team would have been better off keeping Holiday and most people ridiculing me for it.

The season isn't over, so I still might be proven wrong- but thus far, it looks like Holiday was a better fit