“Greatest Guards in the League Right Now,” Amid Summer League Frenzy, 30YO NBA Star Recalls Facing Damian Lillard on the Same Stage and Gives Him a Shout-Out

Due to the wastrels of the off-season, the transfer saga of Damian Lillard and the glimpses of the Summer League has emerged as hot topics in the NBA world right now. Thanks to the latter, fans also got to see this year’s draft night stars in action after a long wait.

Meanwhile, Lillard is at the epicenter of trade rumors after he requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Though #0 has nothing to do with the ongoing Summer League, a fellow NBA star recalled Lillard’s earlier stint in the Summer League.

NBA star reminisces about Damian Lillard’s Summer League stint

It was in 2012 that the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Damian Lillard. He kick-started his journey with the team by lining up in the Summer League. In his debut game, ‘Dame Dolla’ locked horns with the then-New Orleans Hornets. Now, Austin Rivers, who was a part of the New Orleans’ Summer League lineup, has spilled the beans on the experience of facing a young Lillard.

In a recent conversation with ESPN’s Malika Andrews and Richard Jefferson, Austin Rivers recalled the day he locked horns with then-rookie Damian Lillard. “When he [Lillard] went that high in the draft, we were all like ‘Who is this.’ But he played with such a natural… he plays with his own temp. Can’t speed him up,” said Rivers.?“I always want to compete against him. He is one of the greatest guards in the league right now.”

From the way Rivers cherishes his Summer League memories, he surely became an instant admirer of Lillard. With the 2023 Summer League well underway, it looks like he is excited about the ongoing action.

Austin Rivers’ excitement for the ongoing Summer League

Moments before this year’s Summer League commenced, Austin Rivers took to Twitter and gave his flowers to NBA franchises for their Summer League endeavors. He said he admires and respects those NBA teams that give their youngsters a chance to play in the Summer League in the second year. He pointed out it gives emerging talents a chance to compete and strive for better.

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Austin Rivers’ tweet becomes all the more relevant when read along with his recent reminiscence of Damian Lillard. Back then, the Trail Blazers showed their faith in a rookie Lillard and allowed him to start. He emerged as Portland’s redeemer that night and has donned the same hat until asking out recently.

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