Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard knows a thing or two about pressure. He’s been in pressure situations countless times in his decorated career, and his success rate has established him as one of the most clutch players in the history of the sport.
Dame faced some massive expectations when he turned his back on the Portland Trail Blazers in favor of a move to Milwaukee. Teaming up alongside Giannis Antetkounmpo to form the NBA’s latest super-duo only meant that anything short of a championship would be considered a disappointment.
In light of all this, Lillard, of all people, knows exactly what Doc Rivers is getting into now that the latter has agreed to take on the role of the Bucks’ next head coach.
Damian Lillard Believes Doc Rivers Is Right Man for Milwaukee Bucks Job
For Lillard, what stands out the most is the fact that Rivers has been in this situation in the past. In fact, Dame draws a lot of parallelisms with Doc’s situation in Milwaukee with his stint with the Boston Celtics many years ago:
“I think his most success as a coach is in a situation where there were extreme expectations in Boston,” Lillard said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “You’re getting Kevin Garnett, who was an MVP in Minnesota. You got Paul Pierce, who was one of the best players in the league for a long time. You get Ray Allen coming in there. You got (Rajon) Rondo, one of the best point guards in the league. And then, you throw Doc in there, and you’ve got some expectations.
“They expected to win. You were in that type of market where the people in the city really care, similar to here. They want to win. They’re demanding it. And I think, because of his experience — not just the high moments, but the low moments — of being criticized and people jumping on you for not succeeding, he’s felt it. And, I think, anytime you experience that in that way on both sides, you know how rewarding it can be, when you come out on top. And, I think, looking at our team, he feels like we have a chance to do that. So, you want a guy who’s had that type of experience to to be leading your team in this type of situation.”
The Bucks already took the rookie coach route and that didn’t exactly work out too well for them. The front office has now decided to hire virtually the exact opposite in Doc Rivers and his 24 years of head coaching experience.
Lillard believes that this was the right move for the Bucks. He also knows that there’s going to be even more pressure not only on Rivers but on the entire squad as well.
If anything, Dame is relishing the opportunity.
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