USA Today via Reuters
Jan 24, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots over New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton (6) and guard Alec Burks (18) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 24, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots over New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton (6) and guard Alec Burks (18) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard has finally gotten his laurels as a superstar in this league. While many say this respect was overdue, at least it is here now. However, now we are realizing the reason why he went unrecognized by many for so long, and that is his team in Portland.
While Lillard has had some strong teams, they have never been strong enough to compete with the elite of the NBA. Despite making it to the Western Conference Finals in 2019, the team barely made it to the Playoffs last season. They have made changes for the 2021 season, most notably adding Robert Covington from Houston for defense. However, despite his heroics, he believes this may not be enough.
DAMIAN LILLARD WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QmkwTgIByU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 31, 2021
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While speaking to The Athletic, Lillard said that Portland cannot compete for the title with their current defensive output.
“If we are the defensive team that we’ve been so far this season, then we don’t have a chance to win the championship. Right now, we aren’t a championship team, because you don’t have a chance being one of the bottom teams defensively, and that’s just the reality of the situation. And I’m aware of that.”
Damian Lillard: Has Portland peaked with him there?
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Damian Lillard will go as far in the Playoffs as his team will let him. He has shown that there isn’t a lack of effort, accountability, or talent from his side. He is his own harshest critic and has criticized his entire team.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 30, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with his teammates after making the game winning three point basket at the buzzer against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
However, it is still a united front. Lillard has said what he said to motivate his team into playing better defense. While he isn’t elite at that end himself, he sure can make a greater effort to lead from that end.
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READ MORE: Damian Lillard Joins Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant In A Tremendous Scoring Achievement
But even outside defense, Portland doesn’t look too rosy. There are various concerns about the roster and the team is relatively cash-strapped with the contracts that Lillard and CJ McCollum have. It will be interesting to see how the franchise keeps their star happy and also gives him a platform for genuine title contention.
