Life comes at you quick typically.
I’m positive Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard could be feeling that sentiment proper about now.
In a latest interview with Sports activities Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Lillard mentioned the start of his stint in Milwaukee. When requested if he felt his Bucks workforce would’ve hit the bottom operating to start out the season, the eight-time All-Star not solely expressed some disappointment in how his squad has fared thus far however even advised he hoped that they’d be extra just like the Celtics.
“I believed we was going to be how Boston is correct now,” Lillard advised Mannix. “However I feel what I’ve realized is that some issues take time, particularly stuff that has reward ultimately. You’ll be able to’t come into it and suppose that it’s simply going to be all peaches and cream. We’ve had our ups and downs. We’ve had a training change. I haven’t utterly settled in to discovering who am I on this workforce. And that’s type of a troublesome factor.”
After all, not each single workforce that comes collectively through the summer season goes to return out of the gates like Boston did this season. The Celtics have been unbelievable thus far and have shattered most expectations surrounding them heading into the 12 months (championship expectations are nonetheless there, make no mistake),
As of right this moment, the Cs have a commanding 8.5-game lead over the third-place Bucks.
There’s nonetheless loads of significant basketball to be performed, however it’s fairly humorous seeing some frustrations trickle out from one of many Celtics’ largest opponents within the East.
It’s particularly candy as a result of all through Lillard’s summer-long hostage holding of the NBA media together with his commerce request, he made it extraordinarily clear that he had no real interest in becoming a member of the Cs — not that it was actually his selection anyway, however he begged to go to Miami and acquired Milwaukee as a substitute.
Throughout a June interview with Dan Patrick, Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, and extra importantly, somebody who’s shut with Lillard, laughed on the concept of the star guard being traded to Boston.
“He’s not doing Boston. He’s not. He’s not doing Boston,” Haynes advised Patrick. “I don’t see that. … I feel that’s fairly protected to say.”
Chris Haynes on Damian Lillard becoming a member of the Celtics
CH: “He’s not doing Boston. He’s not. I don’t see that.”
DP: “You’ll be able to confidently report that Dame doesn’t wish to go to Boston?”
CH: “I feel that’s fairly protected to say.”
(through @dpshow, h/t @dru_star)pic.twitter.com/9MB6HLar2k
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 8, 2023
I imply, I don’t suppose anybody right here was heartbroken when this got here out. Lillard’s contract is a monster. It features a participant choice for $58 million when he’s 36 years outdated. If he’s already broadly thought of a defensive legal responsibility at 33, it wouldn’t be enjoyable to shell out that a lot money for him at that age.
The Celtics may truly be the largest winners of the complete charade. After Dame was dealt to the Bucks, they have been capable of swoop in and land Jrue Vacation in a cope with the Blazers. Vacation has been improbable for Boston this 12 months in a smaller function. He’s given them a robust presence on the defensive finish and has been a knockdown shooter from lengthy vary.
Who is aware of, issues may nonetheless go south for the Cs within the postseason and Milwaukee may very properly get scorching and go on a title run. It’s not unimaginable by any means.
However as of right this moment, it positive appears like we’re all watching a real-life NBA model of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Dame in June: “No means I’m going to Boston.”
Dame in February: “I actually thought we’d be taking part in on the similar degree as Boston is.”
Curb theme hits*
