How much recognition is enough? While this question may have been on the back of the minds of NBA fans when looking at their favorite players, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard recently brought it to the front. Having devoted over 12 years of his life to the NBA, the point guard has earned several accolades on the route to greatness, including being named in the league’s 75th-anniversary team. Despite this, the 34-year-old recently went viral for claiming that his shooting skills aren’t acknowledged enough by the community, stating “They (fans) definitely don’t talk about it. They act like I don’t be doing what I have been doing.” In light of this statement, a former NBA star was ready and willing to hand out his critical remarks.

Earlier today, Washington Wizards legend Gilbert Arenas released another episode of his long-running Gil’s Arena show. Once again, the crew consisting of Josiah Johnson, Lexie Brown, Brandon Jennings, and Rashad McCants joined in. Having caught a replay of Lillard’s remarks on the Club 520 Podcast, McCants immediately slammed the player by stating “Dame, you top 75. The F**k is wrong with you bro? You’re top 75 all-time. 5000 players play in the NBA, you’re top 75. What kind of credit, what more do you want?” After an agreement from her WNBA co-host, the former Timberwolves player further added “You’re Top 75 over Kyrie, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter. You’re unbelievable, bro.”

Before the announcement of the 76 players (one tie) that would be honored at the NBA’s Diamond Jubilee, Kyrie Irving was highly expected to make the team. In fact, the Brooklyn Nets had reportedly even prepared a video to honor the player for the same. Unfortunately, the same turned out to be far from reality. While many people reportedly attributed this snub to Irving’s vaccination status, Irving did not add fuel to the fire and simply stated “I think I’ll leave it to the conspiracy theorists.” Fortunately, not only was Lillard good enough to get considered for the Anniversary team, but he was also reportedly pro-vaccine.

Damian Lillard’s skills as a shooter were recognized right from his first year in the NBA. After averaging 19.1 points over 82 games by going 6.7-15.7 with his field goals, 2.3-6.1 with his three-pointers, and 3.3-3.9 with his free throws, he was awarded the Rookie of the Year ‘unanimously’, becoming only the fourth player ever to do so. In more than a decade, he has been named to the All-Star Team on eight occasions, has the All-NBA First Team honor in 2018, the Second Team on four occasions, and the Third Team. All in all, there are only a handful of players today in the modern NBA who are so heavily decorated.

At the same time, however, the Bucks point guard competes in an NBA that heavily emphasizes faster pace, more three-point shooting, and spacing. As a result, even though Lillard accumulated over 220 three-pointers during the recent season, a number that Magic Johnson took 11 seasons to reach, he still ranked 12 overall. This does not mean that the player continues to fall behind in other categories. While Stephen Curry averaged 45% in field goals, 40.8% in three-pointers, and 92.3% in free throws, Lillard followed close with his 42.4%, 35.4%, and 92% respectively. With competition running rampant, Lillard’s remarks may be coming from an understandable point.

If accolades are not enough for the player to get an understanding of his recognition, then maybe some praise from NBA veterans might do the trick.

Despite giving his flowers also to Stephen Curry, Shaquille O’Neal claims Damian Lillard “is clutch at that shot.”

Shaquille O’Neal is not someone who can be put on a comparison scale when discussing shooting skills. After all, in his 19-year career, he has only made ONE three-pointer! However, having won four championships and having accumulated over 28,596 points, the 9 highest ever, the former player is no less than any of the scorers who came after him. Furthermore, having served in the analyst role since his retirement 13 years ago, Shaq knows the areas in which Damian Lillard excels, and where Steph does.

In a January 2024 segment of ‘The Big Podcast’, Shaq went on to reveal “A lot of people ask me ‘Shaq, you get double-teamed, you kick it out, the game-winner, you throw it to Steph or you going to throw it to Dame?” Stating that he would hate to even make this comparison, Shaq continued “Steph is the best shooter, but Dame Time is clutch at that shot.”

This belief stemmed from the former player’s mind as the Warriors star is more of a player who relies on motion, while Lillard shoots standstill. Referencing the famous ‘Bye-Bye’ shot that Lillard made during the 2019 Playoffs, Shaq chose him as the player he would pass the ball to, not because he is a better scorer than Curry, but because his key distinction from his rival is what Shaq would need.

Instead of patting himself on the back for accomplishing more than players like Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard criticizes himself for not being as good as Stephen Curry. The grass may be greener on the other side, but it’s still pretty lush where he stands.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.