This year, and for the first time since the 2012/13 season, Damian Lillard’s first in the NBA, the Blazers risk missing the playoffs. It must be said that, despite a slight improvement since the transition to 2022 (12 wins and 12 losses), their campaign has been anything but easy.
Between the injuries of CJ McCollum then Damian Lillard, which generated mediocre results (13 wins and 22 losses, at the end of December), a defense still under construction despite the initial declarations of Chauncey Billups or a major reorganization of its workforce at the “trade deadline”, Portland has long had a series of disappointments.
It is for these reasons that Damian Lillard resigned himself to having abdominal surgery in mid-January. An injury that he had dragged on for about four years and which has continued to worsen over time. Despite all his will, and his pride, “Lady” was therefore forced to let his franchise manage without him.
” I got to a point where I realized my mind wanted my body to do something it couldn’t do anymore.“, tell the one who had never missed more than 10 games in a season, before this one. ” Not being in good health was complicated for me, because I always have been since my arrival in the league. But, at this point in my career, I had to make a decision thinking about the future, not the present. Especially in view of the results we had. And it made sense to me to make that decision. Whether for the future, for my health or to give the team a real chance to do something [dans le futur].“
Major cleaning needed
Cornerstone of the Blazers project, Damian Lillard, however, saw several of his teammates leave this month, because the team seemed to have reached the end of the cycle. Starting, of course, with CJ McCollum, his lifelong partner, with whom he formed a sincere friendship and with whom he knew everything.
Expected for several weeks, not to say several months, this transfer was necessary to allow the Oregon franchise to start on a good footing, financially. And the leader of the six All-Star Game selections was aware of this, although the departure from the 2016 MIP leaves a big void.
” The most positive aspect of this whole story is the fact that we have gained financial flexibility, because it will give us the possibility to really improve the team, to make it even better than before. “, believes the franchise player of Portland, which we may not see again until the 2022/23 financial year. ” Especially since we already have a lot of talent in the team and we have acquired several good players. This is therefore the biggest positive point to draw from it, but it will nevertheless be necessary for us to be able to put things and our ideas in place.“
With Anfernee Simons, Josh Hart, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson, or even Jusuf Nurkic and Justise Winslow if they are retained and continue to chain the matches, the Blazers have an interesting base to surround Damian Lillard, eager not to leave completely from zero. All that will remain is to complete it during the next “free agency”.
Only downside: Portland has never been a favored destination for “free agents” and you’ll probably have to pull out the checkbook to attract some of them. Hence the importance of cleaning up finances.
Loyalty as a key word
Be that as it may, like a Dirk Nowitzki in his time or more recently a Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard wanted to once again express his desire to win in Oregon, within his lifelong team. Even if he takes the risk of ending his career without a ring, like other legends before him…
” I’m loyal to what I believe in “, declares the one who does not fail to attract the eye of several other franchises. ” I love living in Portland and playing for the Blazers. I am at the base of the construction of [ce projet], because I have been here for ten years. I have experienced change and success here. And I know what would really mean something in my heart: bringing a title back here. That’s why I’m so attached to this city. This is my personal feeling and my way of doing things. So I will stay committed as long as that is my goal.“
The 2022 off-season will therefore be one to watch very closely for these Blazers, who seem to have reached a turning point in their history. Because, even if Damian Lillard is still under contract until 2025, time is running out for the soon to be 32-year-old player, who can no longer afford to lose even a year, at this stage of his career…
| 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 |
| Total | 711 | 36 | 43.7 | 37.3 | 89.3 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 24.6 | |
