“I want to win as a Portland Trail Blazer.”
Damian Lillard has reiterated his love and commitment to the Portland Trail Blazers, saying it wouldn’t feel as good to win a championship anywhere else.
Lillard played just 29 regular-season games last year, averaging 24 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. This was considered a bad year for the 32-year-old, shooting just 40% from the field and 32% from outside the arc.
The six-time NBA All-Star was selected by Portland in 2012 with the sixth overall pick, in a draft class headed by ring holders Anthony Davis, Draymond Green and Khris Middleton.
Portland could potentially open up as a popular free-agent destination next summer, with a promising young core in Anfernee Simons supported by Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic, Gary Payton II and Josh Hart.
“I want to win as Trail Blazer,” Lillard told The Ringer. “I want to win a championship where I am. I don’t think I would feel the same joy and happiness if I did it somewhere else. I would be happy, no doubt. Like earning a token, you get that experience. But I know how I want it.”
Damian Lillard is a dying breed among NBA stars. Loyalty remains a priority for Lillard. pic.twitter.com/rYXPD5t1EM
— Central Hoop (@TheHoopCentral) February 19, 2019
Lillard’s +4000 won the MVP award for the first time in NBA betting and has had some strong results in voting for the award in previous years; 6th (2020-21), 8th (2019-20), 6th (2018-19), 4th (2017-18), 8th (2015-16).
The guard’s message is simple: loyalty above all. However, in what looks to be a strong Western Conference, the Blazers will have to take their A game to each of their 82 regular season games if Lillard has a chance at the honor.
