At present, there are already several similarities between Damian Lillard And Gary Payton, since they were for example born in Oakland and also played in high school in this same city. In a few weeks, this list of common points could also grow longer.
Indeed, an All-Star playmaker who left to evolve to Miami, after spending more than ten years in the same franchise, in the Western Conference, and trying everything to win with this one, does that remind you of anything? Because this is indeed the path taken in the 2000s by “The Glove”, the former star of the Sonics who became champion with the Heat in 2006 (after playing in Milwaukee, Los Angeles and then Boston).
And, who knows, “Lady” could perhaps imitate its glorious elder soon…
” It’s the same for me », consider Hall of Famerregarding the player’s transfer request from Portland, before spreading out on the “Heat culture” and their mentality. ” Damian’s dad grew up with me in Oakland, we all have the same mentality [là-bas] and I share the same agent as him. It would be perfect [à Miami]he knows it and I know it. […] He’s a badass, he’ll bring what Pat want [Riley] And [Erik Spoelstra], it would fit perfectly. I guarantee you he would do more [à Miami] that in Portland, the culture of victory is more present there, it would be a good thing for him. »
Do not hesitate to run after a title
It is still necessary, of course, that the Blazers find an agreement with the Florida leaders to sell them their “franchise player”. To have also been there before, Gary Payton understands the choice of Damian Lillard.
” He had to make a decision and ask himself: ‘Do I want to keep doing what I’m doing or do I want to try to win a title?’ “, he says about it. ” [Gagner un titre], that’s what he wants to do today. It’s just time, time for him to go where he wants. […] Damian wishes to play for Pat [Riley]I think it’s the right decision for him, so why not go ahead and let him have success? […] He will have more help with [Jimmy] Butler, another superstar to back him up, a hard-working team. »
Especially since, according to Gary Payton, any player should give themselves the means to play for the title…
” Everyone should be chasing after a ring “says the one who now trains in the Ice Cube BIG3. ” That’s the whole point of basketball, the reason we play. If you want to go somewhere else for a chance to win the title, then you have to. That’s what I thought when I came to Miami, so I came and look what happened… »
It remains to be seen whether Damian Lillard will, on the one hand, have the opportunity to join the team in which he wishes to land and whether he will be able, on the other hand, to unlock his prize list there, when he has just celebrated his 33 years.
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | 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.
