Milwaukee Bucks fans endured a crushing Valentine’s Day defeat, witnessing their team fall 97-123 to the Miami Heat. This humbling loss has sparked questions about Doc Rivers’ coaching strategy and Bucks veteran Marques Johnson has some thoughts on it.

Currently 3rd in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks could afford to change coach mid-season but utilization of Damian Lillard is raising eyebrows. In a recent episode of Gil’s Arenas podcast, 5-time All-Star Marques Johnson expressed his disdain for not letting “a point guard be a point guard”. For those unfamiliar with Johnson’s legacy, he himself played the PG position and averaged 20.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over his 11-year career.

Johnson addressed the current state of the Bucks: “Shooting percentage way down, turnovers are up, the usage rate is like 30 or something percent which is the lowest it’s been since 8 years. The thing that Doc wants to do, is not cut down Giannis’ touches, but give the ball to Dame a little more. Let the point guard be your point guard.”

Johnson went further, revealing advice he offered to Lillard: “Another thing I told Dame is, when he talked to me about a month ago he told he was having some challenges… figuring out how to kind of play with Giannis. I told him, man just run Thanksgiving. I said Giannis can fix his own plate, you worry about your plate, don’t worry about trying to fix his plate. He gonna get his, you know ….Giannis is gonna get his…He (Dame) told me recently that he sat out a game or two, he said I could really see what this team needs me to do.”

Can Giannis and Lillard find their groove?

In his last 10 games, Dame has been averaging 22.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds. While these stats might not seem alarming, these numbers represent a significant drop compared to his past performance. Last season, he averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists. Now, with Giannis as a teammate, his assist average has dipped to 6.7, and his shooting percentages have come crashing down: 42.5% from the field (4th-lowest career) and 34.4% from three (3rd-worst career).

Read More: “This Is Your Fault, so F*** Off”: Doc Rivers Gets Chastised for Ruining Damian Lillard

Trending

Big Setback for Shaq, as $155 Billion Company Eyes Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith Post-TNT Era

May 17, 2024 10:54 PM EDT

“Jordan Slipping Him Cash”: Fans Join In as Magic Johnson Slams Stephen A. Smith for Leaving Isiah Thomas Out of His List

May 18, 2024 03:30 PM EDT

La La Anthony, Coco Gauff, and More Join to Celebrate Angel Reese’s LSU Celebration as She Slaps Back at GPA Critics

May 18, 2024 09:33 PM EDT

Shaquille O’Neal, Tempted by Elon Musk’s Tesla Creation, Offers $159,999 Worth Trade to 30YO Comedian

May 19, 2024 06:38 AM EDT

Angel Reese Rejuvenates Allen Iverson’s Legacy Through Ties With $2.5 Billion Worth Brand

May 18, 2024 03:28 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Since Doc Rivers took over, Lillard’s numbers have fallen further, averaging only 20.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.0 rebounds. The Bucks have also seen mixed results under Rivers, going 3-6.

Can Lillard “fix his own plate” and thrive alongside Giannis, as Marques Johnson suggests? Time will tell. The Bucks face the Grizzlies next before the All-Star weekend. Stay tuned to find out!