If we will have to wait until February 1, 2024 to see again Damian Lillard at the Moda Center, on the other hand, from November 26, the All-Star leader will reunite with his former teammates. It will be in Milwaukee, in “prime time” (9:30 p.m. French time), and these first reunions will inevitably be special. For Chauncey Billups, time will help reconcile the two parties.
“Sooner or later there will be discussions”estimates Chauncey Billups in the columns Yahoo Sports. “The emotion will dissipate and it will heal itself. I really believe in it. Ultimately, what Dame achieved for the franchise had never been done before. He will be considered the greatest. And what this franchise has done for Dame is incredible. They had an incredible mutual relationship throughout. »
What reception for Damian Lillard?
The new leader of the Bucks is not the first superstar to leave what we thought was his forever franchise. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have experienced complicated divorces, and for the first two, the “return home” was stormy. What will happen for Damian Lillard, whose desire to leave is only linked to a dispute with management? At least to their lack of ambition.
For his part, Chauncey Billups always wanted to stay out of it all. His role is technical, and he felt that he should not get involved in these differences.
“I didn’t take care of the day-to-day. It’s not my job, even though it obviously has an impact on my job.” recognizes the Portland coach, who trusted his leaders.
A friendship that lasts
In the end, it will be a transfer to Milwaukee. A relief since he and his players were suffering the situation.
“We all felt it every day”testifies Chauncey Billups. “It’s something that transpires every day. We can’t run away from it. You can’t ignore it. We try to spend as little time on it as possible, knowing that there’s not much we can do about it, and we keep moving forward. »
In the end, between him and Damian Lillard, nothing has changed, and they are still in contact. “I already knew that even if that happened, it wouldn’t change anything in our relationship, in our friendship. We talk about very personal things, we sometimes talk about basketball. And we’ve spoken several times since it ended. I’m happy for him “.
All that remains is to wait until February 1, 2024 when Damian Lillard will find his old audience. The emotion will inevitably be there, and we will see if the Blazers fans will have forgiven him for this departure.
