The 2024-25 NBA season marks a crucial turning point for Damian Lillard , who now enters his second year with the Milwaukee Bucks. Following a challenging first season where he struggled to adjust due to his late trade and personal challenges, Lillard is more prepared than ever to lead the Bucks back to championship contention. A recent Yahoo Sports ranking of the NBA’s top No.
2 options, placing Lillard 10th, should only add more fuel to the fire for one of the league’s premier point guards. Damian Lillard’s Ranking Fuels His Comeback with the Bucks A Year of Transition and Adversity Lillard’s first season in Milwaukee was anything but smooth. In his own words, it was “a blur.
” The guard joined the Bucks just days before training camp started, leaving him little time to integrate with his new teammates and coaching staff. At the Bucks’ media day , Lillard reflected on how he was just “trying to get through the year” while adjusting to a new city and dealing with off-court issues. Last season’s turbulent start led to underwhelming team results despite Lillard still making an All-Star appearance.
His inability to train fully, largely due to the timing of his trade and personal distractions, hindered his ability to make an immediate impact. Critics quickly questioned his ability to mesh with Giannis Antetokounmpo and asked if he was past his prime. However, Lillard now approaches the new season with a sense of renewal.
He spoke candidly at media day, saying .
