Bucks' Damian Lillard is letting Giannis Antetokounmpo down

Damian Lillard was supposed to be the co-star to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the player who could help the "Greek Freak" capture another NBA championship. Instead, he's been a complete letdown.

In his first season in Milwaukee, Lillard shot .354 from three, which ranked 124th in the league (min. three attempts a game). This season, he got off to a hot start but is rolling back into the same player as last year — an efficient shooter and a liability on defense.

Through 10 games, Lillard is shooting .348 from three, which ranks 107th in the league. The most worrying aspect is the eight-time All-Star is struggling against elite perimeter defenders. In Milwaukee's last two losses against New York and Boston, Lillard shot 10-of-30 from the floor and 1-of-12 from deep. 

The latter loss to Boston on Sunday was particularly concerning since Milwaukee took a 69-58 lead into the break, riding on Antetokounmpo's 27 first-half points. In the second half, Lillard bricked all five of his three-point attempts, committed three turnovers and was a -22 on the floor. By the end of the fourth, he became nearly unplayable due to his inability to stop Derrick White and Jrue Holiday from getting to their spots and making plays. 

Lillard's limitations as a defender have been well-documented, but his inefficiency from deep could be an even bigger concern for Milwaukee. The veteran guard, who gained a reputation as a clutch shooter for his heroics in Portland, simply can't be counted upon to take big shots anymore. 

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, Lillard's rapid regression comes at a time when Antetokounmpo, 29, is thriving and getting rid of some of the earlier chinks in his armor. For example, he has finally mastered his mid-range pull-up jumper and has a few go-to moves in the post, including a jump hook. The two-time MVP is averaging a league-leading 31.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season while shooting .607 from the floor. 

Those numbers come a year after he became the first player to average 30+ points on 60+ FG percentage. Sadly, his historic numbers will amount to nothing while playing next to an ineffectual Lillard.