Pairing two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard was supposed to elevate the Milwaukee Bucks to new heights. Less than four months into the season, the Bucks hold the seventh-best record in the NBA, have fired their head coach, and are in the midst of a slump that includes five losses in their last seven games.
The talented lineup has shown glimpses of brilliance, but overall, the new-look roster has failed to gel since being assembled.
On Sunday, NBA legend and TNT commentator Shaquille O’Neil had some harsh words for Lillard when the two met.
“When it’s all said and done and it don’t work out. Three people are going to get blamed: Doc, you and Giannis.”
"There’s no reason you should be 3-7 with Doc Rivers over there… You're gonna have to grab some people by the necks and say, 'Hey, this is what I need you to do.'"
Shaq’s advice to Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo 🗣️
(via @NBAonTNT)pic.twitter.com/WTKGRxEsr5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2024
Shaq made it clear to Lillard that this team is too good to go 3-7 with veteran coach Doc Rivers leading the way. He called on Lillard to stop being “nice” and act now before the season gets away from the Bucks.
“You’re gonna have to grab some people by the necks and say, ‘Hey, this is what I need you to do,'”
Lillard is coming off an impressive weekend in Indianapolis. On Saturday, he won the NBA three-point contest for the second year running. On Sunday, he was named All-Star Game MVP after scoring 39 points and recording six assists.
This season, the 33-year-old guard is averaging 24.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. That is a significant drop-off from the 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists he averaged with the Portland Trail Blazers last season.
As the season progresses, Lillard will hope to find his form and develop a better chemistry with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
