The Milwaukee Bucks they have never come close to achieving the goals and expectations that they and everyone else had for them heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. The firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer in favor of Adrian Griffin was intended to address turnover issues and set high standards for coaches in Milwaukee. The standard may have been too high or Griffin was fired mid-season despite being 30-13 at the time.
Milwaukee also made a huge trade with now eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard. To acquire him, the Bucks had to send Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers (who then sent him to the Boston Celtics) and Grayson Allen to the Phoenix Suns.
As many fans may recall, trade rumors surrounding Lillard have been swirling for months. Before being sold to the Bucks, the only team reported to be involved in any trade discussions was the Miami Heat, which a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team had identified as his chosen destination. However, the Heat were not willing to meet Portland’s asking price, and Bucks general manager Jon Horst was able to quietly step in and complete the deal.
Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks have failed to live up to expectations in the 2023-2024 season
In his final season with the Trailblazers, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 46/37/91 from the floor. Adding him to a lineup that had Giannis Antetokounmpo as its best player was an invigorating proposition and too good a move for Milwaukee not to make.
Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, Lillard and the Bucks just didn’t quite hit it off last season. During the year, Lillard admitted that the ongoing divorce had affected his focus on the court. Add to that the injuries suffered by both he and Giannis, and you’ve got a hard season and postseason.
In his first season with the Bucks, Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 42/35/92 from the field. Obviously, this was a significant drop in production, and the recent bombshell from head coach Doc Rivers may explain why that happened.
Damian Lillard didn’t practice at all before his trade to the Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was a guest recently the Bill Simmons Podcastand during the interview, he revealed a shocking confession that Lillard made to him shortly after arriving in Milwaukee:
“I didn’t even realize Dame was traded two or three days before training camp. We were out to dinner and he said, “Coach, I haven’t practiced all summer. This is the first time in my life that I haven’t exercised. I was so afraid of getting injured while exercising.
“He knew he would be sold. So he said, “You know, I’ve been running a little bit. I was shooting with no one in the gym. But I didn’t try at all. He spoke honestly and that’s one of the reasons you love him. He said, “This is the worst state I’ve ever been in.”
From a business and financial standpoint, you can understand why Lillard would be nervous about getting injured during practice. Just look at the reaction Giannis is getting for wanting to take part in the Olympics with the Greek national team. While he is coming off an injury, the same happened to Lillard before he was traded to Milwaukee.
At the same time, though, it’s frustrating that the Bucks didn’t get the best version of Lillard last season. On the other hand, if the “bad” version of the eight-time All-Star is one who averages 24 points and seven assists per game, one can only imagine what Milwaukee will have next year with a point guard who is in shape and has worked with with his teammates throughout the offseason.
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