The Milwaukee Bucks hope their superstar duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard can have greater success this season after their first-round exit last season in a year plagued with coaching and injury issues. At Bucks media day, Giannis revealed that he and Lillard didn’t work out together this summer, a fact Lillard would confirm in his own media day interviews.
“We didn’t work out physically together, no. I planned to go to Greece. I was going to go to Greece, but then they started camp getting ready for the Olympics and I didn’t end up going. But that was it.”
“But I definitely feel more on the same page with him now than I did last year and we didn’t even workout together like it wasn’t even like that. It was more (getting on the same page) than anything else.”
Lillard mentioned how he’s more familiar with Giannis and also coach Doc Rivers, who joined midseason last year.
“I know Giannis’ game better than I did when I got here. I’m more familiar with Doc than when he got here… We don’t have to go through that process again this time.”
Damian Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists last season, having a down year in his debut season with the Bucks. He’ll hope that this season brings a change in fortunes for him and his squad, as the Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the league right now. The franchise doesn’t have many assets to further tinker with the squad, so they need to push for a title this season.
Giannis averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists last season in a historic season that was undone by Playoff injuries once again.
Damian Lillard Hyped Himself Up For This Season
The 2024-25 season might legitimately be the last chance for the Bucks’ current core to compete for a title, as the starting five are all 30 years or older with injuries piling up over recent seasons.
Lillard, who looked out-of-shape for periods of last season, vows to show a different version of himself this season.
“My teammates and my coaches, they’re gonna get the real version of me this year. I think that’s what I put as expectations on myself, I just know the type of year I had and the type of summer I had, the preparation I had. They’re gonna get the real version of me, and that’s all I can really say.”
Lillard’s production will be crucial to Milwaukee’s winning hopes this season, especially with Khris Middleton expected to miss some time after undergoing double ankle surgery over the summer. Giannis has shown a tendency to get worn down and hurt as the season progresses as well, so an increased offensive load for Lillard could also help protect Giannis.
Brook Lopez has maybe one or two seasons left as a center who can contribute at the highest level, so the Bucks will either need to make another major move this season to help their case as contenders or need to maximize the pieces they already have on the roster.
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