The Milwaukee Bucks are in the midst of a seismic identity shift, a transformation that was initiated by the acquisition of Damian Lillard in exchange for Jrue Holiday. This new identity is poised to be all about overwhelming opponents with a torrent of scoring.

Under the reign of Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks carved their niche as a defensive juggernaut, an identity that propelled them to an NBA Championship in 2021. Their reputation as stalwart defenders was something they could consistently hang their hat on, and it was expected to continue with the arrival of the defensively astute head coach, Adrian Griffin.

However, the entire narrative took an unexpected turn when the Bucks executed a franchise-altering trade for Lillard, mere days before the onset of training camp. This blockbuster move forced them to undertake a complete overhaul of their offensive and defensive strategies, swapping out one of the NBA's premier perimeter defenders for an offensive powerhouse.

Lillard, while an offensive maestro, has been categorized as a below-average defender, and the challenge now is for him to prove he can avoid being targeted in the postseason. To support Lillard in the backcourt, it seems the Bucks are banking on Malik Beasley, who will be tasked with defending the opposition's toughest perimeter players on a nightly basis. This dynamic isn't a proven formula for stifling opposing teams.

Perhaps, the Bucks don't necessarily need to lock teams down. Their goal might be to simply slow them down enough so they can't keep pace with what should be the most potent offense in the NBA. Even that, however, might be a tall order for a Lillard-Beasley backcourt.

This is where Griffin steps into the picture, hoping to work his defensive magic. As one of the architects behind the Toronto Raptors' defenses that relied on ball pressure and flexible schemes, Griffin knows how to keep opponents on their toes. Those Raptors defenses were unpredictable, granting Toronto the upper hand in matchups. Griffin and the Bucks will need every ounce of that magic, combined with the defensive presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez around the rim, to field a league-average defense this season.

Lillard is experiencing a sluggish start to his preseason campaign, evident in his first two games where he's still shaking off the rust. He's been candid about not hitting the court during the offseason, instead choosing to focus on preparing his body and mind.

In the first two preseason games, his shooting numbers stand at 5-for-21 (a modest 23.8 percent), including 2-for-12 from beyond the three-point line. A recurring theme has been his shots coming up short, indicating he's still in the process of regaining the strength and conditioning in his legs. There have also been instances where he's visibly fatigued towards the latter part of his stints.

However, Bucks fans should rest easy, as Lillard has consistently demonstrated the ability to round into form. The Bucks' regular season opener is still a week away, and there's one more preseason game on the horizon, offering him another opportunity to shake off the cobwebs. Lillard is renowned for his professionalism and work ethic, standing as one of the most diligent individuals in the league. He'll put in the necessary work to get into prime condition for the season; it's just a matter of time.

Terry Stotts, who serves as Griffin's top assistant and is responsible for overseeing the offense, is keen on instilling a culture within the Bucks that emphasizes both player and ball movement. In practical terms, this translates to players not merely spreading the floor and waiting in the corners for the ball to come their way. Instead, Stotts advocates for a coordinated effort that includes strategic off-ball cuts and a deliberate approach to their plays.

Signs are emerging that the Bucks are fully embracing these principles, with the ball zipping around the court more freely following their initial offensive action. Last season, Milwaukee was ranked 25th in terms of passes made per game. Although this particular stat isn't officially tracked during the preseason, all indications suggest a substantial uptick in ball movement this coming season.

Another significant shift that Griffin is ushering in involves a heightened emphasis on applying pressure on the ball handler. In previous seasons, the Bucks were content with employing a passive defensive strategy, one that aimed at forcing shooters away from the three-point arc and staunchly protecting the rim.

While this doesn't mean they are suddenly willing to concede open threes or easy shots at the basket, Griffin's squad will adopt a much more aggressive stance in terms of making opposing offenses uncomfortable. Their defense will extend its reach beyond the three-point line, intensify ball pressure, and actively challenge gaps. Through four games, they’re averaging 21 deflections per game (last year’s league-leader, the Raptors, put up 18.1 per game). Griffin's vision is clear: nothing should come easily for the offenses they face, and this mandate applies to all defenders on the court.