“You wouldn’t wish this on anybody,” Damian Lillard agrees with new coach Doc Rivers on controversial comment on joining Milwaukee Bucks

Doc Rivers has a mighty task on his hands with the Milwaukee Bucks during the ongoing NBA season.

“You wouldn’t wish this on anybody,” Damian Lillard agrees with new coach Doc Rivers on controversial comment on joining Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard and Doc Rivers (Via: Basketball Network)

Imagine stepping into the shoes of a new head coach for a team gunning for the championship, with the season already in full swing. That’s the rollercoaster Doc Rivers signed up for as he takes the helm at the Milwaukee Bucks. His star guard player, Damian Lillard gets it, as he too struggled to fit in with this team when he first joined.

Taking over from Adrian Griffin, Rivers walks into a setup where the team spirit and goals are already in place. Lillard pointed out how daunting it must be for their new coach to tame a completely new environment without the comfort of building from scratch.

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Here’s what Damian Lillard said in new head coach Doc Rivers’ defense:

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I understood exactly what he [Doc Rivers] meant and he was right. Like you wouldn't wish this on anybody. It takes the right type of person to step into a situation with these type of expectations... He's a new coach for them, a new coach for me, a new player. It's just a lot of moving parts.

Lillard then recalled the struggles he had when he first joined the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite the apparent potential synergy he had with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, he confesses that the shift was tougher than expected.

Yet, Lillard’s outlook remains hopeful, pointing out the team’s knack for clinching victories amid these shifts, somehow maintaining that second spot on the Eastern Conference standings. The journey’s been rough, with the Bucks in the crosshairs of rivals ever since the blockbuster Lillard off-season trade.

Lillard’s Portland return spoiled as the Bucks struggle with new head coach

Lillard’s much-anticipated return was spoiled by the Portland Trail Blazers defeating the Bucks 119 – 116 on Wednesday night. Anfernee Simons shone brightly for the Blazers, scoring 24 points, including a crucial floater with just 17.1 seconds left on the clock.

Damian Lillard (Via: Oregon Live)

Lillard had a commendable night with 25 points, after a warm reception by the Portland crowd while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed with 27 points and eight rebounds. Despite this, Portland managed to maintain a slender lead at halftime and successfully fended off the Bucks’ aggressive push in the latter stages of the game.

Malcolm Brogdon’s timely three crucially widened Portland’s lead. Jerami Grant’s off-balance jumper held the Blazers in front during the tense final moments. Milwaukee’s comeback effort, sparked by a Lillard to Antetokounmpo alley-oop dunk, was vibrant yet in vain.

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