"I was so scared of getting injured working out" - Doc Rivers says Damian Lillard admitted he was out of shape entering training camp

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Doc Rivers revealed that Damian Lillard was out of shape to begin the 2023-24 season. The Milwaukee Bucks head coach said the superstar point guard did not want to risk getting hurt because he was about to be traded.

The 2008 champion also claimed that he didn't even know Lillard was dealt to the Bucks a couple of days before the official start of the 2023-24 campaign.

"I didn't even realize Dame was traded two or three days before training camp," Rivers said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. "We were at dinner, and he said, 'Coach, I didn't work out all summer. It's the first time in my life that I've not worked out. I was so scared of getting injured working out.' He knew he was gonna get traded."

Damian was in the worst shape ever

Lillard was the biggest name on the trade block last summer. After playing his entire career with the Portland Trail Blazers, the superstar point guard asked to be moved to a contending team to get an opportunity to play for a championship before he retires.

Dame's wish was granted, as he was dealt to a Milwaukee team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, which was two years removed from winning the championship. But when he arrived, Lillard wasn't as fit as he should've been.

"So, he said, 'You know, I did some light running. I did some shooting with no one in the gym. But I didn't go (hard) at all,'" added Doc. "He was honest about it, and that's one of the reasons you love him. 'This is the worst shape I've ever been in.'"

Doc says Dame never caught up

Despite his predicament, Lillard played in 73 regular season games last season for the Bucks, his most since the 2017-18 campaign. However, Dame shot just 42.4% from the field and 35.4% from downtown, both below his career averages. He also missed two games in the first round of the playoffs after aggravating an Achilles injury.

"When you start camp that way, you don't ever get in shape," continued Rivers. "You never catch up, and he felt that way ... He's so proud that he's already in great shape right now, which is amazing."

An out-of-shape Lillard could have contributed to Milwaukee's struggles. Still, the Bucks were 30-13 when Rivers took over from Adrian Griffin. Under Doc, they went 17-19 and looked far from being the title contenders they were supposed to be after acquiring Dame.

The Bucks were eventually eliminated in the first round by the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers. And even though very few blamed Lillard for it, he needs to be better so the team can get back into title contention next season.