Pat Connaughton has had a lot of friendships in the NBA. According to Eric Nehm of the Athletic, there's a special bond he has with Damian Lillard.
Pat Connaughton may be with the Milwaukee Bucks now, but he started his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. When he was just starting out, Connaughton says it was Damian Lillard who took him under his wing:
Immediately, Connaughton bonded with Portland star Damian Lillard, even before the (2015-16) season began during voluntary workouts in San Diego.
While there, the players attended a Padres baseball game. After it ended, Connaughton walked with Lillard, who went out of his way to give Connaughton the ins and outs of how to survive in the NBA.
“That was really cool for me,” Connaughton said. “He’s a star in the league. For me being a second-round guy fighting to make a name for myself, being known as a ‘baseball guy,’ he took me under his wing right then and there. He’s an All-Star and he’s taking the time to talk to a baseball guy. It’s not just about basketball with him. We’ve developed a friendship.”
That friendship grew throughout Connaughton’s time in Portland with late-night shooting sessions. But after three seasons, Connaughton signed a free-agent deal with the Bucks, and he started to make new friends.
It doesn't hurt to have friends like Damian Lillard, especially when you think about those “late-night shooting sessions.” Connaughton's hit 35% of his 3-point attempts in his career. It's safe to say those sessions have helped.
Although Connaughton is not on the same team as Lillard anymore, you'd have to assume they're still in touch as the two seem to have built a special bond. Meanwhile, Connaughton can expand his buddy list and his roster of workout partners. Maybe he's learning some moves from Giannis Antetokounmpo now.
Or maybe Connaughton is the one teaching players now. There's someone under his wing who will be gushing about him in three years, explaining how Connaughton helped get him to where he is now.