Despite the turmoil, Damian Lillard stay the course. This is essentially the message that the (always) leader of the Blazers wanted to convey during his press briefing, on the occasion of his summer basketball camp.
The trials have not been lacking lately between his injuries, a new failure in the regular season and this trade request which drags on. But the leader takes advantage of every opportunity to change his mind.
“Mentally, I am strong. I think the last year and the changes in my life in general, not just in sports, have been tough times. But I’m very tough right now.”, did he declare. “I take advantage whenever I can come, to be in this environment. As I said, there are many of my relatives who are here to do what we do in this camp, to take care of people, and that makes me happy. It’s something that lifts me up, so it helps to be here.”
Camp and training to clear your head
His recurring calf problems which further ruined his season now seem to be behind him.
Damian Lillard was in any case able to train without problem and give his all. Even if he does not yet know where he will evolve next season, the leader puts all the chances on his side to be ready for the recovery.
“I had a great summer training. I do a lot of things to surpass myself and progress, and that has helped me a lot. So I would say I’m in a very good position.” he added. “My process has been the same at the start of the season as any other time, except I’m improving as a man. I think it helps me a lot in my career. Whenever I can progress as a man, it is positive for me”.
He finally wanted to put his situation into perspective, recalling that the challenges of everyday life were much more complicated than his life as a professional sportsman. And on this point, Damian Lillard is now shielded.
“Coping with life is much more difficult than coping with a professional sport”he pointed out.. “I think in life in general, ever since I was a kid, I’m now equipped to deal with anything that comes my way, and it’s no different today.”
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | ORP | 82 | 39 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 84.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2013-14 | ORP | 82 | 36 | 42.4 | 39.4 | 87.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 20.7 |
| 2014-15 | ORP | 82 | 36 | 43.4 | 34.3 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 21.0 |
| 2015-16 | ORP | 75 | 36 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.1 |
| 2016-17 | ORP | 75 | 36 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 27.0 |
| 2017-18 | ORP | 73 | 37 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 91.6 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | ORP | 80 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 91.2 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 25.8 |
| 2019-20 | ORP | 66 | 38 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | ORP | 67 | 36 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 92.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 28.8 |
| 2021-22 | ORP | 29 | 36 | 40.2 | 32.4 | 87.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 24.0 |
| 2022-23 | ORP | 58 | 36 | 46.3 | 37.1 | 91.4 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 32.2 |
| Total | 769 | 36 | 43.9 | 37.2 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 25.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
