Damian Lillard fires back at opinions, like those by Stephen A. Smith, that he's unhappy with the Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard pays attention.
The Milwaukee Bucks guard knows there has been a lot of speculation about his happiness in Milwaukee, and he addressed that Friday during a media availability ahead of the team's playoff series with the Indiana Pacers.
"I saw somebody say 'Dame is not happy in Milwaukee' or something like that," Lillard said. "I know the truth.
"I love the situation that I'm in. I also know what I have going on outside of basketball going on that kind of drains me at times. People are going to make comments. People are going to say things.
"And if it doesn't go the way they said it was going to go, nobody is ever (going to) come to them and say 'All right, you said this. Now what do you have to say about it?' They are never held accountable for what they say publicly."
Stephen A. Smith talked about Damian Lillard on ESPN's First Take
ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith generated some headlines earlier in the week on the show "First Take."
Smith and Shannon Sharpe were debating whether the Bucks will move Lillard if they lose in the first round of the playoffs.
“I’m not talking about his game. He’s not happy there,” Smith said. "He’s got a lot of distractions, which are his business, and we wish him nothing but the best, because a lot of us would not be able to handle it as well as he’s handling it."
“But nevertheless, whatever support system you’re looking for … It’s one of those situations where, if you are not happy in a situation, albeit because of outside reasons, and I know he wanted to go to Miami, let’s call it what it is, you got all of that going on, that’s a lot to deal with.”
Those views were also reiterated on "The Stephen A. Smith Show."
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Lillard has addressed his happiness in Milwaukee before with the Journal Sentinel in February. He has also been open about the toll that his divorce has taken on him.
“I am happy,” he matter-of-factly said to the Journal Sentinel. “I am happy. We win, man.”
Stephen A. Smith has been a longtime Milwaukee foil
Smith has drawn the ire of Milwaukee residents before.
During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Smith referred to Milwaukee as a "terrible" city.
But Smith hasn't been banned from entering the city. He made an appearance on Thanasis Antetokounmpo's podcast "Thanalysis" recently.
Indiana Pacers have been a popular pick to beat Bucks in NBA playoffs
The sixth-seeded Pacers have been a trendy pick to beat the third-seeded Bucks, especially with the uncertain health status of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Smith picked Indiana to win the series.
Lillard sees those opinions as well, though the 33-year-old said he doesn't take outside opinions as personally as he did in his younger days.
But he said he liked being in Milwaukee because of the expectations that come with the Bucks being a contender.
"One thing that I've been thinking about all week is I've gone my whole career wanting the opportunity to win," Lillard said. "And I always thought I had a chance to win.
"But being in this situation. I keep taking myself back to how I felt when I got traded here, realizing the opportunity I got in front of me."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Damian Lillard fires back at opinions that he's unhappy with Bucks
