BUCKS
Bucks guard Damian Lillard says there’s a reason that the All-Star Game may not be as exciting these days as it once was.
“It has a little bit to do with the way the game is,” Lillard said, via David Aldridge of The Athletic. “The game is faster. I think that’s why we’re seeing more injuries happening. The game is faster. It’s more up and down, and the pace is up higher than it’s ever been. The style of play, I think, is just wearing on guys’ bodies.
“The break is so deep into the season. We’ve only got less than 30 games left. So our bodies are constantly breaking down over the course of a long season. At this point, you’re coming to the break, you’re like, we’re trying to get to the playoffs healthy, you know?
“I don’t think it’s a matter of guys not caring. It’s just so much pressure on ‘this guy didn’t win (a championship),’ and they need to do this and do that. So we want to be our best for that. You don’t want to go out there and get hurt when there’s just really nothing on the line.”
- For the record, at 29-24, the Bucks currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, one full game behind the Pacers. Milwaukee could be a very different team in the second half following the trade deadline deal for forward Kyle Kuzma.
INTERNATIONAL
AS Monaco has finalized an agreement to sign NBA free agent center Daniel Theis, as relayed by Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. Theis, who had attracted interest from multiple NBA teams, received a more lucrative offer from Greek club Panathinaikos but was reportedly seeking an opportunity to play a more prominent role.
If the deal with AS Monaco includes a multiyear contract, it is expected to feature an opt-out clause allowing Theis to return to the NBA.
THUNDER
Mark Daigneault’s rise from assistant coach on Billy Donovan’s staff at the University of Florida to head coach of the Thunder and All-Star Game coach has been quite the story.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater explored Daigneault’s journey, highlighting the pride Donovan feels for his former assistant’s success.
“It’s crazy how life works,” Donovan said. “I remember when he was sitting there, and we were having camp (at Florida), and he’s waiting to meet me. He’s 24, 25 years old, just wants a job, and he’s willing to work for free. And if you just said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be an NBA head coach and coaching the All-Star game,’ nobody would’ve believed that, right?”
Donovan added, “So, I just think it speaks to him and the people in Oklahoma City and the players and his staff. I’m just really happy for him because he’s a great guy.”
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