The big question surrounding Damian Lillard joining the Milwaukee Bucks was always going to be his defense.
That’s just the reality of being Jrue Holiday’s replacement, especially when you’re own defensive resume is lacking.
And while the Bucks have been playing well for the most part with a record of 24-9, Dame has been exposed defensively on more than one occasion.
Perhaps the most egregious one was his total lapse in focus while guarding Tyrese Haliburton when the Pacers visited the Bucks on Monday night.
Here’s how NBA Twitter (or NBA X) reacted:
Dame Lillard is not a serious basketball player pic.twitter.com/V3ww3NX5FU
— sham๐ซ (@raisedharmony) January 2, 2024
Dame with the the worst defense Iโve ever seen ๐ pic.twitter.com/mVPZmVJROI
— BrickMuse (@BrickMuse) January 2, 2024
Dame worse on defense than Poole, sheesh! Hali cooking him like fried turkey pic.twitter.com/lXGugHdAtW
— Obj*Poole&BilalWiz*daDon (@ObjdaOriginal) January 2, 2024
โDame Timeโ in 2024 pic.twitter.com/y6IBMRubYz
— Ayo๐ณ๐ฌ (@Ayo_Ajayi_) January 2, 2024
Dame ainโt outplayed Hali one time this year pic.twitter.com/ZEQR7fqnGk
— K. Lee ๐คฒ๐ผ (@ITS_KEVINDEVON) January 2, 2024
The way Dame just froze on that Hali hesitation… Tonight cemented the fact we need another point of attack defender.
If I'm John Horst I'm on the phone asking about Alex Caruso tonight
— ๐ฑ๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ (@BUCKSINSIX999) January 2, 2024
Hali Vs Dame this season in pacer/bucks matchups
Haliburton
26-7-11Dame
19-6-6Pacers up 3-1 in the season series pic.twitter.com/NFUv6iDZmk
— ๐๐ฟ (@NorthSidePace) January 2, 2024