Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers just exposed his own star player for not being in shape. In a recent appearance on ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast,’ the former Celtics champion revealed a conversation between Lillard and himself, where the 12-year NBA veteran confessed to being in the worst shape of his career.
“I didn’t even realize Dame was traded two or three days before training camp,” said Rivers. “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. I was so scared of getting injured working out. He knew he was gonna get traded. So, he said, ‘You know, I did some light running. I did some shooting with no one in the gym. But I didn’t go (hard) at all.’ He was honest about it, and that’s one of the reasons you love him. He said, ‘This is the worst shape I’ve ever been in.'”
Lillard, 33, was traded to the Bucks last summer after 11 years with the Trail Blazers. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, he had ambitions of winning the first championship of his NBA career. Instead, Lillard had to endure months of drama during a divorce with his former partner. His kids were caught in the middle and the whole ordeal completely wrecked his offseason.
By the time Lillard, an 8x All-Star, suited up for the Bucks, his game was in a state of major decline. His numbers dipped across the board going from 32.2 points per game with the Trail Blazers to just 24.3 per game along with 7.0 assists in his first season with the Bucks. After struggling to maintain consistency on the court all season, the Bucks were able to win just 49 games and lost in the first round to the Indiana Pacers.
The worst part about this reality for the Bucks is that the guy they traded Lillard for (former NBA champion Jrue Holiday) is one win away from winning a title with his new team, the Boston Celtics.
Doc Rivers inherited this mess after being hired to replace Adrian Griffin in January following just 43 games. He was tasked with fixing the Bucks’ defense but not much changed under his tenure. The team continued to struggle under his watch and they have yet to find a solution to address their flaws.
Across the NBA, many fans are calling out Rivers for selling out his player like this, but it seems to be a common theme for Doc and he’s already been called out on it before.
Unless a miracle happens, I think the Bucks have no choice but to run it back and hope for the best. If Lillard can get back in shape for next season and revert to his prime form, it could unlock a whole new level for this steam and one that may put them back on the map of contention.
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