Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard Quote Will Leave Fans Feeling Bittersweet All Over Again After Failed 2-Year Stop

After being waived by the Bucks, Lillard signed a three-year deal to return to the Trail Blazers, the only other team he has known in 13 NBA seasons. His time out East ended unceremoniously, but as quoted by Jim Owzcarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he has only love for his Bucks partner in crime.

“As a tandem with him, I felt like we can go and win it all with the two of us,” Lillard said. “We can go on a run and just dominate. I’m not sure I’ll ever experience that again. But it was great playing with him.”

That was the plan. Dominating, winning it all. Injuries and a subtle or sometimes not-so-subtle lack of cohesion frustrated those notions. Lillard is right though. Giannis will almost surely be the best talent he ever plays with. As far as pure star power is concerned, that’s been the case vice versa as well thus far in Antetokounmpo’s career.

“It was truly a pleasure and a luxury to play with a guy that dominant and also a guy who cares that much,” Lillard continued. “I think was that something I really appreciated. I’m a guy who cares, even when I’m mad, even when I’m not doing well, I care about the team doing well and put everything I can into that – how I take care of my body, how I train and prepare.”

One thing even detractors can’t pin on Dame is a lack of drive and preparation. Miraculously, he spent barely over a month sidelined with a blood clot before returning for the playoffs – too soon, as it turned out.

In Portland, Lillard will spend the year recuperating, as was planned even before he left the Bucks. He isn’t likely to see the court this season for the Trail Blazers. When he does in 2026-27, though, on a young team hungry for success, and possibly accompanied by fellow former Buck Jrue Holiday, Portland can count on him pouring his most dedicated self onto the floor.

Said Lillard of himself and Giannis, “I do everything I can to position myself and the team to do well and he’s a guy that does all of those things with the same energy and worry. That was something I really appreciated, too.”