Rookie of the Year behind him, Lillard turns next to defense, Gary Payton

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SlyPokerDog, May 1, 2013.

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  1. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    The Rookie of the Year trophy rested beside him, the product of a pretty jump shot, great court vision, steely poise, and an uncanny ability to finish at the rim. But his true greatness was revealed once the subject turned to his one weakness - defense.

    His smile faded, his eyes narrowed and his words became more firm.

    “When people say stuff about my defense, it bothers me,’’ Lillard said. “And I’m aware of it. It drives me. It lights a fire under me.’’

    If that attitude and drive doesn’t convince Trail Blazers fans that the franchise is in good hands, maybe this will: The wheels are already in motion for Lillard to workout and study defense this summer under the tutelage of the greatest defensive point guard ever, Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

    “He said ‘I want to help you,’ ’’ Lillard said of Payton. “He said it would take time for me to become a defender, but he said I have everything to become one. So this will be the summer where I get in the gym with him and try to learn from him.’’

    Payton has taken an interest in Lillard because both hail from East Oakland, which has also produced NBA point guards Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw. Lillard and Payton also share the same agents - Aaron and Eric Goodwin. Lillard said Payton first reached out at the end of his college career at Weber State, but Aaron Goodwin said Payton’s interest intensified in January after watching Lillard score 37 points at Golden State.

    The next day, Aaron Goodwin got a phone call from Payton.

    “Gary said ‘This kid has more than I ever had, than Jason (Kidd) ever had, than Brian (Shaw) ever had,’’ Goodwin said. “Now, this is big, because Gary always considered himself the best. And he said ‘I want to help this kid get his defense down. Because if he gets better defensively, he will be the best to ever come out of the California area.’

    "Now that’s from Gary; that’s Gary admitting this kid is special. From Gary Payton, that takes a lot.’’

    http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...sider_damian_lillards_one_weakness_leads.html
     
    SlyPokerDog, May 1, 2013
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  2. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I've always been a huge Gary Payton fan. I think this is great news.
     
    SlyPokerDog, May 1, 2013
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  3. JFizzleRaider

    JFizzleRaider Yeast Lords Global Moderator

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    How sick would it be if Lillard could learn even half as much defense as Payton used to provide.

    Pleasantly waiting to see Lillards improved defense next year.
     
    JFizzleRaider, May 1, 2013
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  4. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I'd settle for half. The refs/rules won't allow players to play the same caliber of defense that Payton did.
     
    SlyPokerDog, May 1, 2013
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  5. RoyToy

    RoyToy Clown Town

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    This past year GP was at the Blazers/Clippers game and at halftime I watched GP spend the entire halftime signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

    Gotta love GP
     
    RoyToy, May 1, 2013
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  6. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    The Gauntlet
     
    ABM, May 1, 2013
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  7. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    Wow can you imagine Payton teaching him?! Holly shit!!!!!
     
    magnifier661, May 1, 2013
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  8. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    [​IMG]
     
    ABM, May 1, 2013
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  9. oldguy

    oldguy Well-Known Member

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    Just gotta love this kid. A rook that just plain 'gets it.'

    Go Blazers
     
    oldguy, May 1, 2013
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  10. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    Not only gets it, but has it, as well.
     
    ABM, May 1, 2013
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  11. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    Roy had the same type of work ethic.
     
    magnifier661, May 1, 2013
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  12. oldguy

    oldguy Well-Known Member

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    Amen to that!

    Now I want to see The Glove help him get some more of it.

    Go Blazers
     
    oldguy, May 1, 2013
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  13. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    I see Lillard as having the potential/exposure to be voted an AS starter.
     
    ABM, May 1, 2013
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  14. oldguy

    oldguy Well-Known Member

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    I don't disagree with you. Otoh, I don't remember Brandon working out with Ron Artest after his rookie year.

    Go Blazers
     
    oldguy, May 1, 2013
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  15. oldguy

    oldguy Well-Known Member

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    I could see that.....if the team will just win some freak'n games to help him out.

    Go Blazers
     
    oldguy, May 1, 2013
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  16. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    That's where I see Lillard better. He isn't only looking at one dimension like Roy did. Lillard wants to be the best in the league
     
    magnifier661, May 1, 2013
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  17. oldguy

    oldguy Well-Known Member

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    I can remember when fans laughed that Jerm wanted to be the best in the league. He never made it, but I'd say he did pretty damned well for himself.

    One thing I do believe is that you don't become the best in the league unless you really want it.

    Go Blazers
     
    oldguy, May 1, 2013
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  18. KingSpeed

    KingSpeed Veteran

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    Yes. Once Kobe retires or if Chris Paul left the conference. This is great news about Lillard.
     
    KingSpeed, May 1, 2013
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  19. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Ask Damian to play defense like Payton and still carry us offensively and I hope his coach has the sense to cut his minutes back a smidge, so he has something in the tank to be our finisher. Roy paced himself every game and that included on the defensive end. I like Lillard more than Roy. This guy is special.
     
    BBert, May 1, 2013
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  20. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I'm worried he will wear himself out trying to be an on the ball defender like GP. I'm very content if Dame has the same season he had this year and never changes for the next 10 years. Find us a descent big man to help him out.
     
    THE HCP, May 1, 2013
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