MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – As the Milwaukee Bucks begin preseason play in preparation for starting the regular season in less than two weeks, one of the Bucks’ biggest stars is reflecting on his first year with the team and what he expects for his second season.
According to FOX Sports, who spoke to Bucks guard Damian Lillard over the weekend, his season in Milwaukee was filled with too much uncertainty, saying, “It wasn’t like I was traded in the middle of the summer or anything like that. It was right before camp started, a couple of days before camp started. I didn’t know where I was going to be. Going through a divorce. I got three kids. Being away from my kids. Not having a schedule set for when I’m going to see them. It was just a lot. A lot to juggle at one time while still having to perform. [It was just hard.”
Lillard saw a considerable decline from his 2022–2023 season average of 32.2 points on 46.3% shooting and 37.1% from beyond the 3-point line, averaging only 24.3 points on 42.4% shooting from the field per game.
When asked if he’s expecting a better season in year two with Milwaukee and if a deep playoff run is possible in a competitive Eastern Conference, Lillard said, “Yeah, I think we can… It’s not a matter of us having to do something special. What he’s dominant at, and what I’m dominant at, goes together. And we both gotta be aggressive and understand the moments and situations where we can use the other to create an advantage. And we gotta just trust that. And as time has gone on, we’ve gotten better and better. And this year it’ll be even better.”
“I think a lot of times people talk about revenge seasons; it’s like they’re going out for blood with everybody else. But I think it’s the revenge of something I need to go take back for me, not for anybody else. I know what went into last season. And I know what goes into me being my best. That’s all I’m focusing on,” Lillard continued.
For the 2024 season, Basketball Reference Analytics has Lillard predicted to average 26 points, seven assists, and to shoot 35% from three-point range.
Comments