Damian Lillard is a player who undoubtedly ranks as one of the Top-10 in the association. Dame is a certified baller who rose through the ranks thanks to his impeccable talent.
He’s the best player in Portland, and one of the better point guards in the league. But the 30-year-old is unhappy that people still doubt his talents and put him below the likes of Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.
Dame Lillard came into the league in 2012 and wasted no time in creating an impact. He averaged 19.0 points per game as a rookie and soared over the line to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2013, defeating Anthony Davis.
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Ever since his rookie year, there’s been a steady improvement in Dame’s game, and his stats can vouch for the same. He’s undeniably one of the best PGs in the game, but does Lillard get the recognition he deserves?
Damian Lillard feels he is on the same level as Steph Curry and the other great PGs in the league
We’ve seen Steph Curry rattle defenders with his shooting range. Likewise, Dame Lillard is an impressive sharpshooter who can score anywhere from the half-court and beyond. Lillard is an excellent offensive player who can win you games at the buzzer.
In a recent chat with Warriors’ Draymond Green, Lillard opened up about several topics that shed light on his personality. When Green explained how he taunted Steve Kerr with his on-court display to earn his respect, Lillard jumped in on the matter and expressed his feelings during his first few years in the league.
“I’m looking at Steph [Curry], Russ [Westbrook] and CP [Chris Paul], and I don’t view them as above me,” Lillard said. “The way I see people speak on my name sometimes, it is almost like, ‘He’s a great player but..’ but what?”
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There’s always a ‘but’ that arises when you compare Steph and Dame. While one might put Steph ahead for all his achievements, Lillard feels he’s equally talented. This year has been a breakthrough for Dame, as he brought up his career-high points average in the regular season.
Moreover, Damian Lillard in the NBA bubble was a phenomenon. The 5x All-Star averaged 33.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 8.0 APG to keep Portland’s playoff dreams alive.