INDIANAPOLIS — After spending the hours main as much as Recreation 6 getting across the clock remedy on his injured proper Achilles, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard stated he determined he would not have the ability to enter the summer season with out understanding he did all he may to be on the ground.
Lillard returned after lacking Video games 4 and 5 of the sequence, however the shorthanded Bucks didn’t have sufficient in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, dropping Thursday’s recreation, 120-98, and shedding the sequence in six video games.
“I do not suppose I’d’ve went into the summer season feeling good about a lot if I felt like I let the group go on the market and me not a minimum of attempt,” stated Lillard, who completed with 28 factors.
The Bucks couldn’t overcome the lack of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed your entire playoff sequence with a left calf pressure. He did not seem in one other recreation after sustaining the damage on April 9.
“It is undoubtedly disappointing as a result of you know the way a lot better of a group we’re when he is on the ground and the way a lot issues change when he is on the ground,” Lillard stated. “You play a complete 82-game season. You undergo coaching camp, you undergo all of the ups-and-downs of a NBA common season, and also you get to the purpose the place, all proper, now we’ll play for every little thing. And you are not complete. You do not have the very best alternative to succeed in the place you need attain. So it’s irritating, it is disappointing, however it’s a part of the sport.”
Bucks guard Malik Beasley added: “This simply sucks. It sucks, man. I do not even know what to suppose. I am not anxious about the place I’ll be subsequent yr. I am anxious about, I am extra involved that we simply acquired beat within the first spherical. I got here right here for a championship. I guess on myself. I guess that we might win and we simply got here up quick.”
The Bucks misplaced within the first-round of the NBA playoffs for the second consecutive season to a decrease seed, regardless of a significant overhaul over the previous 12 months making an attempt to keep away from a playoff repeat.
Milwaukee fired its championship-winning coach, Mike Budenholzer, following final yr’s playoff exit, bringing in longtime assistant coach Adrian Griffin to begin the yr. Regardless of Griffin’s 30-13 report, he was additionally fired in January and the group employed Doc Rivers to assist them attain a championship ceiling.
“Its uncommon, normally proper after the yr you wish to take a break,” Rivers stated. “I can not wait to get began. To get to camp, and have the ability to put all of the issues we expect we want.”
The most important transfer for the Bucks earlier than the season began was to amass Lillard, a blockbuster addition after he spent the primary 11 years of his profession with the Portland Path Blazers. Although his first season in Milwaukee was stuffed with some ups-and-downs, Lillard was happy with his first season right here and was wanting ahead to feeling extra settled subsequent yr.
“It was a rollercoaster of a yr, however I believe for me personally, it was a yr of development greater than something,” Lillard stated. “It’s been some exhausting instances. I have never denied that one time this yr. Basketball and personally, it has been some exhausting instances, however it’s by no means been a problem with Milwaukee.
“I get the chance to play with Giannis. I am taking part in with veteran gamers. I do know that the one factor we plan for is the chance to win the championship, and that is why I made the choice to be part of one thing like this.”
Finally, the Bucks didn’t have sufficient time on the ground with their greatest gamers taking part in collectively. After Rivers took over as coach close to the tip of January, Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Khris Middleton performed a complete of eight video games collectively.
And the Bucks by no means acquired to see their Massive 3 on the ground within the playoffs.
“To get a full offseason the place we all know what to anticipate about who’s going to be in that constructing, have these conversations and prepare for subsequent yr, I believe some kind of continuity, it may be nice for us,” Middleton stated.