Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Damian Lillard 1 of 'Baddest Motherf--kers' in NBA

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo knows that Damian Lillard will do whatever it takes to win an NBA title.

While Lillard has had his struggles since his arrival in Milwaukee in a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Antetokounmpo was vocal about the team's support of the superstar guard while speaking with Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.

"I know Dame—what, he came here to lose?" Antetokounmpo said. "He didn't come here to lose. I believe that guy is one of the baddest motherf---ers out there. When he's operating, we're all behind him. We give him that confidence to lead; he is one of the toughest guys in the league. And that's what we need him to do."

Antetokounmpo and Lillard, in particular, had a tough time building chemistry to begin the season.

Antetokounmpo has long been the leader in Milwaukee, but the addition of Lillard gave the franchise two superstar players who love having the ball in their hands, scoring and making plays.

Despite the struggles, the duo has been able to keep the Bucks among the top title contenders in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee is second in the East with a 44-24 record entering Wednesday's game against the first-place Boston Celtics.

Both players have also been able to carve out their roles throughout the course of the season, in part thanks to a simplified approach from head coach Doc Rivers, who was hired after first-year bench boss Adrian Griffin was fired in January.

Antetokounmpo, who has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Boston due to a left hamstring injury, is averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 64 games while shooting 61.6 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from deep.

Lillard, meanwhile, is averaging 24.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 63 games while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from deep.

Those numbers are down across the board for Lillard, but it's important to recognize he's not the only leader on the court anymore like he was in Portland. He's learning to co-exist with Antetokounmpo.

After 11 seasons in Portland that included eight playoff appearances and no championship rings to show for his efforts, Lillard still believes that he'll one day accomplish the ultimate goal of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"When stuff like this starts happening, I start thinking there's a reward coming," Lillard told Mannix. "Because I do s--t the right way. I don't change. Some things take time. Especially the stuff that's most rewarding."