Frustrated Doc Rivers Blasts Bucks Players as Giannis and Damian Lillard Cite Identical Excuse in Blazers Loss

At this point, this isn’t a joke anymore. Over the last few weeks, the NBA world witnessed plenty of players experiencing a mysterious illness. The illness not only keeps the players away from games but also reduces their performances upon their return, as claimed by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. However, Doc Rivers didn’t seem bothered about his players’ condition, as he went hammering them down after last night’s defeat.

On Saturday, the Bucks took on Lillard’s former team, the Trail Blazers. Considering the Wisconsin side’s dominant roster, the team surprisingly had an underwhelming run. Notably, it has been the case since they won the NBA Cup. Addressing it after the game, Coach Rivers said, “It’s frustrating watching us play. I just think where we had them… a week or two before Vegas and then going into Vegas, we haven’t returned. We’re not playing right.” He further criticized that the team lacked on both ends of the court.

Nevertheless, Rivers ended it on a positive note, praising the team’s last stretch of play, “It was just beautiful basketball and that’s who we are and we have not been that.” However, completely moving away from the loss, Giannis and Lillard had other issues. During the 10 days of 2024 December, the Greek Freak missed 3 games and Dame missed 4 games, because of a mysterious illness.

Speaking of it, Antetokounmpo said, “Those four or five days that I was (ill) it took a lot of out of my body and think about it like a… a savings account you know and now I’m in the minus,” after dropping 31 points. Meanwhile, on the other end, Damian Lillard, who dropped 16 points with 6 assists, said, “I missed four games… The time that I missed… just being in the bed… I was really sick… I just think it’s a different feeling. Going from that to, just back on the court like sometimes it’s just I’m tired physically sometimes you feel weak.” The statement is loud and clear. The illness has physically drained the duo.

Amid Giannis’ cry for help, what’s happening in the NBA world?

The day before, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd addressed the press and revealed the  mysterious illness plaguing the Mavs locker room. It not only affected the players, but also a few of the coaching staff. Speaking to the media, Kidd said, “It’s tough. It’s in the locker room, some of the coaches are dealing with it too. It’s just… time of the year that people get sick.” 

Although Kidd ruled it out, saying it was a “seasonal flu”, the Mavs’ guard Quentin Grimes said, “I ain’t ever seen nothing like it, even in high school, college, everybody getting sick.” So the league may have to interfere before it’s too late. Already the injuries have affected the excitement of the season and on top of it, this illness has been a menace.

However, Giannis seemed to have found his own way to get away from it. He added, ” I gotta keep on building. Gotta get some weights gotta get some food in me, gotta get some cardio in me, you know, to go back to the positive, be able to go in compete.” So, the big man seemed to be all locked in to defeat the illness. What do you make of the whole drama? Let us know in the comments.