Damian Lillard lately spoke with the Journal Sentinel about his two-year tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, emphasizing that accidents prevented the staff from reaching its championship potential. Lillard, who was waived-and-stretched by Milwaukee on July 6 and re-signed with the Portland Path Blazers, averaged 25 factors and 7 assists throughout his time with the Bucks.
Lillard addressed criticism about his efficiency in Milwaukee, noting the staff’s damage struggles all through each seasons. The Bucks have been the second seed for many of the 2023-24 season earlier than ending third, then confronted important well being points within the playoffs.
“I believe you gotta be slightly bit fortunate to win large. You gotta be wholesome and also you gotta be taking part in your finest on the proper time and I believe we simply had dangerous luck,” Lillard stated.
The purpose guard detailed how accidents affected each playoff runs. In 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo missed your complete first spherical whereas Lillard injured his Achilles in Recreation 3 and missed two video games. This yr, Lillard ruptured his Achilles firstly of Recreation 4 of their playoff sequence.
“The wholesome half we simply did not have,” Lillard defined. “I believe that is the largest hurdle. That was our largest hurdle and every year that was the case.”
Regardless of the damage setbacks, Lillard and Antetokounmpo fashioned the league’s highest-scoring duo throughout their time collectively. The pair additionally captured the NBA Cup championship, which Lillard seen as validation of their potential when wholesome.
Lillard defended his particular person efficiency towards critics who in contrast his Milwaukee manufacturing unfavorably to his Portland years. He emphasised the problem of sustaining elite numbers whereas sharing the courtroom with one other ball-dominant celebrity.
“However I believe Giannis and I, we was the highest-scoring duo throughout that point. We gained a Cup. I believe lots of people for me personally was like, we need to see Dame do that and Dame do this, however I am taking part in with a 30-plus level per sport scorer, a man who performs with the ball in his palms the identical method I’ve finished my complete profession. He is aggressive and attacking and I nonetheless managed to attain 25 factors per sport and 7 assists over my two years just about,” Lillard stated.
“So I believe it is sort of unfair how individuals was like Dame (is not the identical) due to the way in which I performed in Portland. I had the ball on a regular basis, so it simply appeared totally different. However I believe for a way productive I really was I believe it has been seen unfairly. As a result of what number of different individuals have averaged 25 a sport with seven assists because the No. 1 choice, not to mention taking part in with any person like Giannis? However I would not say it was incomplete. I assumed we simply could not keep wholesome. I believe that is the largest hurdle. That was our largest hurdle and every year that was the case.”
Lillard praised his partnership with the two-time MVP, calling it a “luxurious” to play alongside such a dominant participant. He appreciated Antetokounmpo’s dedication and aggressive spirit, noting their shared dedication to staff success.
“As a tandem with him, I felt like we are able to go and win all of it with the 2 of us,” Lillard stated. “I am undecided I am going to ever have that have once more.”
