Its clear that Milwaukee Bucks’ new head coach, Doc Rivers, is fully supporting Damian Lillard. The seven-time all-NBA guard has opened up to the world about the serious health challenges he has been experiencing. Lillard is out after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf. This condition comes with significant potential long-term health risks. The 34-year-old Lillard is currently on blood-thinning medication and the Bucks have not offered any indication of how quickly he might return.
This is the Lillard effect, and it was evident on Wednesday as the Bucks badly missed their new star. That’s how they played without both him and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and it showed. That was the fourth straight game Lillard would miss with his unspecified ailment. It’s a tough ask for Milwaukee as they try to make up for Lillard’s value on the floor.
Rivers tried to downplay the loss, but even he admitted this is a serious blow and you don’t easily replace Lillard’s production.
"It's a blow to us, obviously. It's more of a blow to Dame. That's where the emotional support goes. Guys get to play today. Dame does not, so to me, the guy I try to support more is Dame." – Doc Rivers
He underscored the complexity of the situation. It’s going to require more than just one player to experienced tonnage that has been evaporated with Lillard commitment serve.
"It's going to be a committee. It's not going to be one guy. It's not even going to be Ryan and just Scoot," – Doc Rivers
As with any diagnosis, Lillard’s should be a cause for alarm given its seriousness. He is the second high-profile player this season to be suspended due to DVT. Given his condition, Rivers obviously knows just how dangerous blood clots can be. Things which can be quite frightening not only in professional sport, but in our daily lives.
"You hear the word blood clot… that's not a good word, not only just in sports, but life," – Doc Rivers
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