Damian Lillard might be a one-and-done in Milwaukee, according to Stephen A. Smith.
As the Bucks get ready to take on the Pacers in the opening round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, Smith was speaking on ESPN’s “First Take” with Shannon Sharpe on Monday. He said,
“If Milwaukee loses, I think you need to consider moving Dame up and out of there,”
“I’m not talking about his game. He’s not happy there,”
“He’s got a lot of distractions, which are his business, and we wish him nothing but the best, because a lot of us would not be able to handle it as well as he’s handling it.
“But nevertheless, whatever support system you’re looking for … It’s one of those situations where if you are not happy in a situation, albeit because of outside reasons, and I know he wanted to go to Miami, let’s call it what it is, you got all of that going on, that’s a lot to deal with.”
"If Milwaukee loses, I think you need to consider moving Dame up outta there. I'm not talking about his game. He's not happy there."
Stephen A. Smith on what he thinks the Bucks should do with Damian Lillard if they flame out in the first round 🗣pic.twitter.com/9szK4EazJR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 15, 2024
Smith made it clear that the focus was on Lillard’s “psychological” struggles in his personal life rather than basketball. Smith made no mention of having inside knowledge of this opinion.
Damian Lillard thoughts about his future at Bucks
Earlier in the season, Lillard talked candidly with Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix about how difficult it had been for him personally to go to Milwaukee because so many of his friends and family, including his kids, were still residing in Portland. He said,
“It’s definitely lonely because I’m such a family guy,” “My life is my family. After games, I would come out and my whole family would be back there. My kids coming out of the playroom. My mom, my brother, my cousins lived there, you know what I mean?”
Lillard had to adjust quickly because he was moved to Milwaukee just prior to training camp. Assistant coach Terry Stotts, who was close to Lillard in Portland, had a falling out with head coach Adrian Griffin during the preseason, and Stotts quit.
Then, in the midst of Griffin’s first season on the job, he was fired, and Doc Rivers took over, quickly implementing new offensive and defensive schemes.