Bucks Zone

Damian Lillard reveals Doc Rivers recently challenged the team to live up to what they’ve been saying

"He just checked us on what we say we want to do versus what we've been doing."

Jonas Panerio

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Milwaukee Bucks’ time under new head coach Doc Rivers hasn’t gotten off to a good start, getting only two wins in the last seven games. While some of that can be attributed to the rough transition between coaches, a huge part of the slump is due to the Bucks’ defense, which continues to be suspect.

Milwaukee’s superstar guard Damian Lillard recently revealed that Rivers has gotten on the team, challenging them to live up to their words and goals. Lillard stated, “He just checked us on what we say we want to do versus what we’ve been doing.”

Wake-up call

With the Charlotte Hornets visiting the Fiserv Forum on Friday, Lillard recalled how Rivers spoke to the team in the locker room, asking them to ramp up their defense—which remains a chink in the Bucks’ armor this season, ranking 23rd in points allowed per game and 18th in defensive rating.

“Our attention to detail, how we helped each other, we were just more physical,” Lillard shared, describing what he thought of their defense against the Hornets in a 120-84 win.

“Before the game, it was just a lot of conversation with our staff. We were watching film, and Doc just challenged us.”

Start acting the part

For all the conversations about the Bucks having a legitimate shot at winning it all this season, their lack of consistency and defensive struggles have left many questioning if they are truly a championship-caliber team. But in this game against the Hornets, the Bucks showed flashes of what they could be capable of when they play with focus and intensity.

“And it was just like, to be a team that’s considered a contender and saying what we want to accomplish, we gotta start acting like it. And I think that starts with us, and it has nothing to do with anybody else, so it didn’t matter who we (were) playing tonight, it was important for us to go out there and set the tone and start taking the steps of being who we see ourselves as and who we want to be. And I thought that tonight was a good start,” Lillard added.

GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks eye revenge versus the Denver Nuggets

Published
Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO