Doc Rivers called meeting with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard after loss to Warriors

The mentality that makes him one of the people is what makes him so beloved. “I think if there’s one thing that I could point to and say I’m not very good at, I would say it’s being celebrated,” Lillard said. “I think it’s something I need to be better about because I just get uncomfortable about things being all about me. I think part of that is because of how I grew up with so many cousins and siblings and so many people that I’ve always had to share it with. Do things for others. Lift others up. So, that was such a huge emphasis in my childhood, even when I feel like I understand that I might be worthy of it.” -via New York Times / March 18, 2025

“When I think about my journey,” Lillard said last month from the hallway of his alma mater, Oakland High, “it wasn’t like everybody was on me because I was supposed to do what I’ve done. I was a regular kid. They knew I was good at basketball, but none of this was expected. So when I kind of think back on it, I always remind myself of how important the journey is. “Everybody will look at where I am now, but when I think about the moments of the journey, that’s what gives me chills sometimes about how it happened.” Lillard allowed himself to remember because he was in the halls he once walked. He’d announced a $25,000 scholarship and a partnership with Portland State and blessed the basketball teams with his Adidas signature sneakers. -via New York Times / March 18, 2025

Eric Nehm: Bucks injury report for Tuesday vs. the Warriors: Out: Bobby Portis Jr. (League Suspension) Jericho Sims (Right Thumb UCL Sprain) Probable: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Right Patella Tendinopathy) Damian Lillard (Right Groin Soreness) Gary Trent Jr. (Left Patella Tendinopathy) -via Twitter @eric_nehm / March 17, 2025

“Especially with Wemby [the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama] going down, seemed like he had it won. And now it is right there. So, one-million-percent I have a case, and I will continue to build that case for these next 13 games. Tonight was a prime example of that.” Green’s defense contributed to Antetokounmpo’s worst shooting game in the past two seasons, according to ESPN Research. The Bucks’ 93 points marked a season low. -via ESPN / March 19, 2025

Eric Nehm: In a similar vein, Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about the physical toll it takes to play center during that six-game stretch. How do you avoid overtaxing him and finding a balance between getting through these minutes, but getting him to the playoffs in these 11 games? Rivers: We don’t have a balance right now. Bottom line, if Brook’s off the floor, we don’t have another five on our team. Bobby was the five, Jericho was the five and now we have zero fives (outside of Brook). So, it just really makes us a thin bench, a thin basketball team and so Giannis will have to play five and we’re not opposed to putting Kuz at the five, which is crazy, but it is what it is. -via x.com / March 18, 2025