Feb 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers recently gave some insight on Damian Lillard’s poor first season in Wisconsin.
Rivers was asked about Lillard when he appeared on Wednesday’s episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” Rivers shared a conversation he had with 8-time All-Star earlier in the season. The veteran coach revealed that Lillard was “in the worst shape of my life” heading into his first Bucks campaign.
“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,” Rivers told Simmons, via Chicco Nacion of The Score.
“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 had one of the worst years of his career in his debut season with the Bucks. He averaged 24.3 and 7.0 assists on 42.4% shooting. Lillard had come off averages of 32.2 points and 7.3 assists on 46.3% shooting in his final season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Lillard also faced some personal issues before moving to Milwaukee. He was having marital issues and filed for divorce from his wife of two years just days after the trade to the Bucks was official. The college sweethearts share three children.
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