The Damian Lillard debut with Milwaukee went as expected (video)

Before you get your back up, be honest with yourself. The Damian Lillard debut with Milwaukee was exactly what you thought it would be.

Or maybe what you feared.

One night after the new-look Celtics defeated the New York Knicks while getting 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocks from newcomer Kristaps Porzingis, Lillard scored 39 points on 9-of-20 shooting - he also went 17-of-17 from the free-throw line - in Milwaukee's 118-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Just like that, the arms race for the dominance in the 2023-24 NBA Eastern Conference officially began, the Bucks returning serve just 24 hours after the Celtics defeated the Knicks.

You can see Lillard's debut here:

So, what exactly are we saying here? Enjoy the ride. The NBA regular season, like all others, can be a slog filled with ups and downs. But most everyone in the basketball world agrees that the Celtics and Bucks are a collision course this season, destined to meet for the NBA Eastern Conference championship. Obviously, a great deal can (and will) take place between now and then, but there is no disputing that Boston and Milwaukee are both motivated to win the East after disappointing finishes  at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, don't forget about the Miami Heat, who defeated both the Bucks and Celtics as a No. 8 seed last year, the victory over the Bucks a wipeout in the first round. Heat star Jimmy Butler tends to respond well when he feels snubbed - and he often does.

Remember, of course, that Lillard wanted to go to Miami during the offseason. In the process, he snubbed the Celtics. All of this only means that during the 2023-24 season, in the NBA Eastern Conference, most everyone will have something to prove, leaving fans and observers with the most to gain by simply watching.