Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesMilwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard denied rumors and speculation that he's unhappy in town.
Bucks Breakdown @Bucks_BreakdownDame: "I saw somebody say "Dame's not happy in Milwaukee" or something like that. And i know the truth. I love the situation that I'm in. I also know what i have going on outside of basketball that kinda drains me at times." <a href="https://t.co/759UZ3JLzR">https://t.co/759UZ3JLzR</a> <a href="https://t.co/2G8gUARPwP">pic.twitter.com/2G8gUARPwP</a>
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith recently said that he "firmly" believes Lillard is "miserable" in Milwaukee (3-minute mark).
"I don't think he's happy at all, and I think when you look at Damian Lillard, that matters," Smith said. "Because you need Damian Lillard, you know, to, be Damian Lillard."
Lillard is in his first season with the Bucks after 11 years with the Portland Trail Blazers, who granted his trade request out of town and sent him to Milwaukee.
The 33-year-old earned his eighth All-Star appearance en route to averaging 24.3 points and 7.0 assists per game for the No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks, who open their postseason on Sunday against the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers.
It's been a tough season for the Bucks, who entered this year with championship expectations but look far from realizing them now. A midseason coaching change from Adrian Griffin to Doc Rivers hasn't helped matters either, with the team going just 17-19 under the latter leader. The Bucks' defense has notably taken a big step back, ending 19th in defensive rating this year after going fourth in 2022-23.
But Lillard has ultimately fared well this season on an individual basis. There also isn't any concrete evidence that he's unhappy in Milwaukee, especially given his recent comments.
Lillard also took the time to respond "Captain Planet" to an Instagram comment from The Bucks Zone IG in which Smith said the Pacers will beat the Bucks in the first round and that Milwaukee should look to trade the star in the offseason.
He obviously thinks Smith is spewing falsities, but now it's time for Lillard and the Bucks to push the regular season to the past and hope for a better postseason beginning Sunday evening at home versus Indiana.
ncG1vNJzZmianJqupLTEq6meqJ%2BnwW%2BvzqZmmqqknrCtsdJoaGlpYWyEc4OMm6yco6NisaK5yJqlZqSZobmivsNmm56mmZrAbrrBmmSrrZ2kv7R5x56qZq2ena6xvNhmoGakn6uybsDHnmSsoaSqrrW1zqdkoqVdnrs%3D