Bucks stars get laurels after leading team to NBA Cup title
With the crowning conclusion to the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Cup title run this past Tuesday in the bag, we’ve been given the welcome news that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have both been named to the NBA Cup’s All-Tournament team. The criteria for the designation takes into account the entire body of a player’s work during the course of the Cup, from group stage play to knockout rounds.
Both guys appeared in six of Milwaukee’s seven Cup games and had these averages to go with it:
- Antetokounmpo: 34.3 MPG, 30.5 points (.667/.000/.644), 10.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 2.8 blocks, 1.2 steals
- Lillard: 36.3 MPG, 27.3 points (.485/.459/.950), 8.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Antetokounmpo was named to the All-Cup team last season and is the only player in the league to have earned the distinction twice. This is Lillard’s first nomination to the group.
Crucially, the NBA Cup run came just as the Bucks began their wholesale turnaround from a lackluster 2-8 start to the regular season. Damian Lillard in particular saw his offensive output lifting as his three-point percentages rebounded from a somewhat slow start. Both players also upped their games as creators for others as well, reflecting both a willingness to spread the ball around and commensurate improvements from teammates paying off set-ups.
It should also be noted that the Bucks posted the best net rating in the league in Cup games (+11.9) and the second-best defensive rating (101.3, just behind the Thunder). That is likely also a good sign that the positive momentum of the past month has plenty more to build on.
Giannis and Dame are joined by Trae Young (Atlanta), Alperen Sengun (Houston), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) on the All-Cup team.
Congrats to both guys and the team on its stellar success in Cup play!