“Dame Time” won’t apply to the Milwaukee Bucks making a deep postseason run.
The Bucks are in a digital tie for fifth place with the Detroit Pistons within the Jap Convention with 11 video games left within the common season.
The Pistons being tied with Milwaukee is an indication of an enormous rise for Detroit. However the Bucks being knotted with the Pistons is an indication of decline for Milwaukee.
The most recent sign that issues are going to be powerful for Milwaukee is the information that Damian Lillard was identified with deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf.
Having a blood clot wherever is a critical medical subject.
Lillard is taking blood-thinning treatment in hopes of resolving the problem, however there isn’t a clear timetable for his return. The Bucks haven’t introduced an anticipated return date for Lillard.
Up to now, Lillard has missed three video games for the Bucks (40-31), who have been anticipated to contend for the highest spot within the Jap Convention this season.
As a substitute, Milwaukee is 17 1/2 video games behind the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard as a stellar combo, a 50-win marketing campaign appeared seemingly.
But proper now, Milwaukee appears to be like like a squad that could possibly be going through a 3rd straight first-round exit.
The chances of an early exit enhance if Lillard doesn’t regain his well being.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was identified with a blood clot in his shoulder proper after the All-Star break in mid-February and was instantly shut down for the season.
Maybe probably the most obvious case of blood clots within the NBA concerned Chris Bosh, who performed his closing sport at age 31 as a result of a number of episodes. Bosh, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Famer, actually would have most well-liked to retire on his personal phrases.
As for Milwaukee’s struggles, don’t neglect that the Bucks gained the NBA title within the 2020-21 season beneath coach Mike Budenholzer.
Two seasons later, Budenholzer was fired after a 58-win season by which top-seeded Milwaukee misplaced to the eighth-seeded Miami Warmth within the first spherical.
The next season, Milwaukee fired coach Adrian Griffin with a 30-13 report and put in Doc Rivers as head coach.
The Bucks appeared to regress beneath Rivers, going 17-19 within the common season. Then they went down within the first spherical once more, falling to the Indiana Pacers in six video games.
Rivers had a full offseason to implement his plan, so there must be no excuses. He has Antetokounmpo and Lillard on his roster. Each gamers are nine-time All-Stars, and each coach would love a duo like that.
It’s protected to say Giannis isn’t the issue. The 2-time MVP is averaging 30.2 factors, 12.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists whereas all the time giving a top-notch effort.
Lillard is reduce from the identical fabric. He’s averaging 24.9 factors, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
However rather more is at stake for Lillard. Giannis has his ring.
Lillard pressured his method out of Portland after 11 seasons when the Path Blazers have been transitioning to a youthful roster. He requested a commerce after Portland used the third total choose within the 2023 draft on Scoot Henderson as a substitute of buying and selling it for a veteran.
Lillard’s greatest purpose is profitable an NBA title. He has earned loads of cash and accolades. He’ll ceaselessly be remembered for his 36-foot, buzzer-beating 3-pointer that eradicated the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder from the 2019 playoffs. He scored 50 factors that evening.
Portland was ultimately eradicated within the Western Convention finals — the furthest development of the Lillard period.
Lillard turns 35 in July, and enjoying 35-plus minutes per sport won’t final ceaselessly.
He absolutely doesn’t need to make one other transfer. He’s on a workforce with Antetokounmpo, a participant who enhances his model.
For no matter purpose, the Bucks should not clicking. Maybe Rivers isn’t pushing the proper buttons with the remainder of the roster.
Possibly issues enhance within the subsequent few weeks. Possibly Lillard returns to full well being. You by no means know.
However proper now, it isn’t wanting like “Dame Time” in Milwaukee this season.