Damian Lillard defends Doc Rivers with 2-word response

Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks are facing a lot of criticism because of their 1-6 start to the season that sees them placed 15th in the Eastern Conference standings. Milwaukee, touted as title contenders ahead of the season, won the first game against the Philadelphia 76ers before dropping six straight games.

Some of the blame for the unacceptable start has also been placed on coach Doc Rivers. He has a paltry 19-26 record with the Bucks after he was brought in to replace Adrian Griffin in 2023-24 when the former coach had a 30-13 record.

Damian Lillard posted a series of photos on Instagram on Tuesday morning. As expected, fans took to the comments section to let their opinions known on the Bucks’ start to the season, with one suggesting that Doc Rivers should be fired. Lillard, however, was having none of it as he replied:

“Absolutely not.”

This seems like a big vote of confidence for a coach who is in the hot seat after a terrible start to the season. Milwaukee’s start, is particularly alarming as the team has two of the best players in Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Irrespective of Lillard’s wishes, Rivers’ job could be in jeopardy if the Bucks don’t start winning games soon. There have also been reports that Antetokounmpo could force his way out of the team “if things go badly in Milwaukee.”

Damian Lillard opened up on relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo

When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in the summer of 2023, the team was expected to be back in title contention. However, an injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo saw them exit the 2023-24 NBA playoffs in the first round. And after a slow start to the current season, it’s safe to say that the trade hasn’t propelled the team to the success that the front office must have hoped for.

Lillard opened up about the ongoing struggles and how the two superstars need to "hold each other accountable." He said on the Knuckleheads Podcast on Oct. 27:

“Me and him got to be able to hold each other accountable, and that don’t mean yelling at each other all the time. It just means, like, I got to be able to say something to you, and you got to be able to say something to me at all times.”

The onus now is on both Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo to come together and get the Bucks’ season back on track, as it is not just Doc Rivers’ job on the line but also their legacy.