Damian Lillard just lately spoke with the Journal Sentinel about his two-year tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, emphasizing that accidents prevented the crew 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 crew’s damage struggles all through each seasons. The Bucks have 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 believe you gotta be just a little bit fortunate to win huge. You gotta be wholesome and also you gotta be enjoying your greatest on the proper time and I believe we simply had unhealthy luck,” Lillard mentioned.
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 yr, Lillard ruptured his Achilles in the beginning of Sport 4 of their playoff sequence.
“The wholesome half we simply did not have,” Lillard defined. “I believe that is the most important hurdle. That was our largest hurdle and annually 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 in opposition to 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 famous person.
“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 wish to see Dame do that and Dame do this, however I am enjoying with a 30-plus level per sport scorer, a man who performs with the ball in his fingers the identical manner I’ve accomplished 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 mentioned.
“So I believe it is sort of unfair how individuals was like Dame (is not the identical) due to the best way I performed in Portland. I had the ball on a regular basis, so it simply seemed completely 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 possibility, not to mention enjoying with someone like Giannis? However I would not say it was incomplete. I believed we simply could not keep wholesome. I believe that is the most important hurdle. That was our largest hurdle and annually 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 crew success.
“As a tandem with him, I felt like we will go and win all of it with the 2 of us,” Lillard mentioned. “I am undecided I am going to ever have that have once more.”
