Damian Lillard and his first year with the Milwaukee Bucks: "The transition has been tougher than I thought"

Last season, when Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton shared the court, the Milwaukee Bucks showed their ability to compete at the highest level. With a net rating of +17.5, the team established itself as one of the NBA's elite on both ends of the court. However, that chemistry never felt completely smooth, and injuries limited their time together to just 42 games, unable to share the court in the playoffs. Damian Lillard's performance was affected during that season. While it was expected that his raw scoring numbers would decrease playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, the surprising aspect was the drop in his efficiency. His three-point shooting percentage fell to 35.4%, and his true shooting percentage dropped to .590, still above the league average but far from elite. In an appearance on the Club 520 Podcast with Jeff Teague, Lillard confessed how challenging that first season was: "It was tougher than I thought, really, as I've said, because of my life [moving cities, getting a divorce], but also adapting to playing with another great player [Antetokounmpo] and also with Khris. Khris is also a great player, but he plays in a certain way, so I have to get used to playing with two players and I don't want to hinder them from doing what they do, but I have to find a way to be the best version of myself within this as well, so it was a lot, many moving parts, it was more difficult than I thought it would be." The situation became even more complicated with coaching changes throughout the season. They started with a rookie coach and midway through the season, made a switch to Doc Rivers, preventing the Bucks from finding a consistent rhythm. **Will things change this season?** The big question is whether the Bucks can find that rhythm this season. With all key players healthy and Rivers at the helm from the start of training camp, Milwaukee seems better prepared for success. However, in a competitive Eastern Conference that includes teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and 76ers, the road to the NBA Finals will be tough. Milwaukee has little room for error, presenting a significant challenge: Can Lillard, Middleton, and Brook Lopez stay healthy throughout the season? And what about Antetokounmpo, who has suffered injuries in the last two playoffs? Additionally, there is a question about whether there is enough depth in the team to withstand the marathon that is the regular season.

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