Damian Lillard reflected on his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, praising Giannis Antetokounmpo’s competitiveness while admitting that he never felt completely comfortable with the organization.
Lillard, who spent most of his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining Milwaukee, described the opportunity to play alongside Antetokounmpo as a valuable experience.
“It was a solid experience, I would say. Doing something outside of Portland, playing with a great player like Giannis, you know, I think that was a luxury that I hadn’t experienced.”
The veteran guard particularly appreciated Antetokounmpo’s commitment to competing and performing at a high level, qualities he felt matched his own approach to basketball.
“Playing with somebody that’s going to show up, he’s going to compete. Like, the care factor and the pride of performing.”
Lillard explained that he had rarely played alongside someone who demonstrated the same level of competitive determination.
“He had that, and I hadn’t seen anybody have that type of, you know, care factor to rise to it the way I do, so that was fun for me.”
Despite enjoying his partnership with Antetokounmpo, Lillard acknowledged that his overall experience in Milwaukee was different from what he had become accustomed to during his years in Portland.
“I could just feel that it just wasn’t, my home. Like that was the fight. You know, it didn’t feel like home.”
Lillard joined the Bucks in 2023 after spending 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers.
