(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2023-2024 NBA Season with heightened expectations.
They have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference for many years, but they felt like they were missing somebody on their roster.
In an effort to improve the team, the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard, who was viewed as one of the best players in the league at the time.
Adding Lillard to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to yield great results in their first season together.
However, after the team suffered many major injuries throughout the year, including to Antetokounmpo, they fell short of their goals in the playoffs.
Lillard was unable to carry the team on his back, and now, it’s back to the drawing board for next season.
Doc Rivers recently shared some insight about Lillard on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” highlighting what Lillard was like heading into the year.
Rivers recanted a conversation with Lillard, who reportedly told him, “Coach, I didn’t work out all summer. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve not worked out. I was so scared of getting injured working out.”
Doc Rivers says Damian Lillard came into training camp out of shape
“I didn’t even realize Dame was traded two or three days before training camp. … We were at dinner, and he said, ‘Coach, I didn’t work out all summer. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve not worked out.… pic.twitter.com/f12v62B1rn
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 13, 2024
While Rivers isn’t necessarily the most well-liked coach around the league, he is known as a compassionate coach who cares about his players.
Rivers clearly felt for Lillard in their preseason conversation, understanding that he didn’t want to get hurt.
His lack of offseason preparation could have led to a suboptimal season for Lillard, but with any luck, he will get himself back on track ahead of the 2024-2025 campaign.
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