USA Today via Reuters
May 27, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) dunks the ball during the second half of game three in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 27, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) dunks the ball during the second half of game three in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard has been on the sidelines since his abdominal surgery. It is confirmed that he will miss the rest of the season. Dame is as of right now rehabbing from the injury and surgery. We might see him back in action some days into the next season.
The Portland Trail Blazers’ guard could only play 29 games this season in which he averaged numbers that were just as good as his career average. He has been in the NBA for 9 years now. Portland drafted Dame as their 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He has been with them ever since.
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Damian Lillard has had a decent career so far. But he himself knows that this is not all what he aimed for. The 6 time NBA All Star is yet to win an NBA championship.
READ MORE: Damian’s injury updates make fans react shambolically.
He made a case for himself last season in the MVP race but could not finish in the top 5 as the season ended. This season has already come to an abrupt end for Lillard, but he feels that his best is yet to come.
Damian Lillard aims for MVP and NBA championship
Dame came forward for his first interview since his abdominal surgery. He talked with Yahoo Sports. In conversation with Chris Haynes, he talked about the surgery, his rehab, his recovery visions, and targets for the future seasons.
“I'm going to come back and be fine. Like I said, my best is yet to come. And the only things that I play for at this point is I want to be the MVP of the league and I want to win the championship.” 👀
– Damian Lillard
(Via @ChrisBHaynes ) pic.twitter.com/l2YkdFqIsG— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) March 25, 2022
Damian feels like he is yet to reach the peak of his career. He admitted that he wants to win an MVP and an NBA championship in the future. He thinks that he has the ability to win both. However, the fans had different views about it.
The definition of wasted potential if he doesn't join up with someone. Imagine Dame with Giannis or Zion
— supasavage47! (@TLBN4700) March 25, 2022
— MoCity (@MOClTY) March 25, 2022
If you want to win a championship that badly, he’s gonna have to run from the Grind 😭
— 𝕵𝖆𝖗𝖎🪬 (@Jari2Fly) March 25, 2022
— Abu Zaid 🇯🇴 (@adamodinson) March 25, 2022
They're going to add 2 lottery picks and hopefully they get some free agents. Also Anfernee Simons emergence.
— Delusional Raptor Fan (@OwnedByToronto) March 25, 2022
You not winning that shit in Portland but whatever. Keep trying to show that you not “running from the grind”🙄. Top 75 player and hasn’t even seen a damn finals yet 🙄
— OTF#Squad (@EarlyDreDay) March 25, 2022
@damelillardgoat pic.twitter.com/6Xojr71KbM
— 𝘼𝙐𝙂 🥷🏻³⁴ (@4ugustus19) March 25, 2022
Half the roster is gonna be different next year
— 🖤卄卂ㄚᗪ乇几❤️ (@RoseCityFTW) March 25, 2022
He’s a future laker + he played on an MVP level for 4 straight seasons on a torn abdomen
— 卂ㄥ卂几 (@NasFanatic_) March 25, 2022
Incomming overused "running from the grind" jokes
— Go Blazers (@SameDolla0) March 25, 2022
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The overuse of ‘running from the grind’ jokes from the fans was an indication towards the opinion that Trail Blazers might not be the place to achieve the peak of his career. Dame once said that he doesn’t run from the grind and is loyal to the Blazers, but it might be time for him to review his options whenever he gets back in the next season.
via Getty
DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 4: Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a slow first half against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
In the 9 years with Dame, Portland has qualified for the playoffs 8 seasons straight. The one time they did not qualify was Dame’s rookie season. This year as well, with him out for the season, it seems highly unlikely that they will qualify for the playoffs.
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ALSO READ: Is it finally time for Dame to ‘run from the grind’?
The point guard is 31 years of age now. With this season wrapped up for Lillard, he will look to achieve his target of contending for an MVP and fighting for the NBA championship in what will be his first finals, in the next season. Will he continue with the Trail Blazers? Or will he look towards other teams in order to achieve his dreams? Only time and Damian Lillard will tell.
