Milwaukee’s situation appears dire following their lackluster performance in the 2023–24 campaign. During the Bucks’ media day, Giannis Antetokounmpo disclosed that he and teammate Damian Lillard had not worked out together this offseason.
Nearly all of the Eastern Conference’s competitors strengthened their rosters this summer. Nevertheless, the Bucks made no move that warranted media attention. Prior to the start of the new season, their primary concern has been Antetokounmpo and Lillard’s chemistry.
The significance of the team’s chemistry was emphasized by even head coach Doc Rivers of the Bucks. The team’s star player’s most recent statement, nevertheless, shows no progress. According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, Giannis and Dame spoke frequently during the summer, but Milwaukee’s tandem saw “zero on-court work.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters today that he did not workout once with Damian Lillard this offseason.
Antetokounmpo and Lillard talked often on the phone, but zero on-court work for Milwaukee’s star duo. pic.twitter.com/QkG1yH8wqs
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 30, 2024
It is not necessary for the two stars to adhere to any kind of strict workout regimen. But given the pair’s occasionally erratic play on the court together, their summertime familiarity might have benefited the club.
Milwaukee had a 49-33 record at the end of the 2023–24 campaign. With a generational great like Lillard in the lineup, the Bucks were nine games worse than they were in 2022–23. The two stars’ combined efforts over the entire summer would have been quite beneficial.
But Giannis’s devotion to Greece during the Olympics in Paris took up almost a whole month of his July–August schedule.