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Doc Rivers on the notion that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard would eventually figure it out: "They never did"
Being veterans of the NBA, many expected the Milwaukee Bucks' superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to become the league's most unstoppable duo this season. While the two players are posting solid numbers—Giannis is in the running for the MVP trophy—the product on the floor has, at times, looked less than impressive.
Many expected the two would continue playing together in the hopes of one day figuring it out under previous head coach Adrian Griffin. However, when Doc Rivers took over the squad and pored over the film, he had a blunt assessment of the pair.
"They never did," Rivers said.
Keep working on it
Despite the changes in ownership, coaches, and personnel, Giannis has remained dominant, averaging over 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per game this season. Meanwhile, Lillard is averaging 24.5 points and 6.8 assists while shooting 42 percent from the field and 34 percent from long distance—percentages that are below his career marks.
While it is concerning, Rivers assured Lillard it's all part of integrating into a new team with an established superstar.
"That's OK. That's what I told Dame (in Memphis). We had a long talk. Don't panic about it. Sometimes, it clicks the first time you see each other. Sometimes, it takes the whole season, and in the middle of the playoff, it works out. But what you can't do is panic about it. Just keep working. As long as you both have the right intentions, it's going to work out, and there's no clock on it. And that's what I'm trying to get them to see," Rivers shared.
Doc added that he has noticed both players seem tentative, eager to cater to the other's strengths without stepping on each other's toes.
"There's times when they're together, they're both trying not to be aggressive for the other one, and I don't want that either," Rivers added.
"I need Giannis to be aggressive. I need Dame to be aggressive. And when they hit it, it's when they both are aggressive at the same time and giving each other room at the same time. That's when we become unguardable."
Making it work
Being a veteran coach, Rivers has had plenty of experience working on teams with numerous stars. Rivers knows the importance of having a cohesive and balanced team dynamic, whether it was the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Clippers, or the Philadelphia 76ers. And with two explosive players like Giannis and Lillard, it's crucial for them to find a way to play off each other's strengths without hindering their individual talents.
Lillard said he's taken note of what Doc has been doing lately, putting him and Giannis into more actions.
"He sees what makes us our best. Obviously, me being paired with Giannis. The best part of me being here is me being paired with Giannis. He's addressed that right away. It's like, play together more, and he's kind of scripting actions for us to do so we can have a foundation of it, and then over time, you learn how to play off of it. That's what it means, ultimately. That's that we gotta be able to do," Lillard said.
