Damian Lillard not too long ago 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 had been the second seed for a lot of the 2023-24 season earlier than ending third, then confronted important well being points within the playoffs.
“I feel you gotta be a bit 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 feel we simply had unhealthy luck,” Lillard stated.
The purpose guard detailed how accidents affected each playoff runs. In 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the complete first spherical whereas Lillard injured his Achilles in Sport 3 and missed two video games. This 12 months, Lillard ruptured his Achilles firstly of Sport 4 of their playoff sequence.
“The wholesome half we simply did not have,” Lillard defined. “I feel 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 shaped 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 court docket with one other ball-dominant famous person.
“However I feel Giannis and I, we was the highest-scoring duo throughout that point. We received a Cup. I feel lots of people for me personally was like, we need to see Dame do that and Dame try this, however I am taking part in with a 30-plus level per recreation scorer, a man who performs with the ball in his fingers the identical approach I’ve performed my entire profession. He is aggressive and attacking and I nonetheless managed to attain 25 factors per recreation and 7 assists over my two years just about,” Lillard stated.
“So I feel it is form of unfair how folks 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 seemed completely different. However I feel for a way productive I truly was I feel it has been seen unfairly. As a result of what number of different folks have averaged 25 a recreation with seven assists because the No. 1 choice, not to mention taking part in with someone like Giannis? However I would not say it was incomplete. I assumed we simply could not keep wholesome. I feel 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 will go and win all of it with the 2 of us,” Lillard stated. “I am undecided I will ever have that have once more.”