Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is taking his offseason regimen to new extremes, training with none other than David Goggins, a man renowned for his relentless pursuit of physical and mental endurance. Goggins, a former Navy SEAL and Guinness World Record holder for completing an astonishing 4,030 pull-ups in 24 hours, is the epitome of pushing boundaries, making him an ideal partner for Lillard as the NBA veteran looks to defy the odds in the upcoming season.
Lillard, who recently turned 34, shared a video of his grueling workout session with Goggins on Instagram, accompanied by a motivational message that captured the essence of his offseason mindset. “If you always do what you’ve always done … you’ll always be where you’ve always been … Much love and respect @davidgoggins,” Lillard wrote in the caption, signaling his intent to elevate his game beyond what the league has seen from him before.
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This collaboration comes on the heels of Lillard’s recent comments to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where he dismissed any concerns about his age affecting his performance on the court. “I’m not a player that’s breaking down. I live a clean, good, healthy life, so I can do it. I can do the same [expletive] I did two, three years ago. I can do it right now,” Lillard asserted confidently.
However, Lillard’s first season with the Bucks, while solid, didn’t quite match the jaw-dropping efficiency he displayed during his final year with the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 2023-24 season, Damian Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His shooting percentages also saw a dip, with 42.4% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range, a noticeable decline from his previous season’s 46.3% field goal percentage and 37.1% from beyond the arc.
Lillard’s decline in efficiency has not gone unnoticed, especially given the staggering numbers he put up during his last year with the Trail Blazers, where he averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. It was his most individually efficient season, and yet, in Milwaukee, the numbers have slipped. Critics have begun to question whether age might finally be catching up with the eight-time NBA All-Star, or if the shift to a new team and system played a bigger role in the drop-off.
Lillard Feels Overlooked Despite Consistency:
Damian Lillard’s contributions have been undeniably consistent, but the superstar feels that his efforts have been underappreciated. In a revealing conversation on the Club 520 podcast, Lillard expressed frustration over the lack of recognition for his accomplishments. “They definitely don’t talk about it,” Lillard said. “They act like I don’t be doing what I’ve been doing. This is going to be my 13th season… My time in the league, when I think about how many people have been very good over that time, it ain’t been that many people that have been here the whole time, since I’ve been in the league, that just been doing it, like over and over and over. But I think people just get bored with consistency. And I ain’t loud, but I’ve been doing it that long and winning.”
Damian Lillard feels like he doesn’t get the credit he deserves on the Club 520 podcast. what y’all think ? pic.twitter.com/5KbCkTQtnI
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) August 19, 2024
Damian Lillard’s comments shed light on the peculiar phenomenon in sports where consistency often gets overshadowed by flashes of brilliance or media-fueled narratives. Despite being one of the best shooters in NBA history, Lillard’s consistent excellence seems to have led to a certain complacency among fans and analysts alike, who may have grown accustomed to his nightly heroics.
However, Lillard’s perceived lack of recognition may also stem from the fact that his stellar performances have yet to translate into ultimate team success. While he has cemented his legacy as a premier scorer and clutch performer, his teams have not reached the pinnacle of NBA achievement—a championship. This, perhaps, is the narrative Damian Lillard is most eager to rewrite as he continues to push his limits alongside star teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With his offseason training under the brutal guidance of David Goggins, Damian Lillard is clearly setting the stage for what could be a defining season in his career. He’s not just preparing to play; he’s preparing to dominate, to silence the doubters, and to finally add the one accolade that has eluded him—a championship ring.
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