I have doubts. But dreams are good. And this is certainly helping: Pessimist that I am, in all that excellent news it bugs me that he's being played at off-guard. The best (only) PG on our roster isn't a PG on another team. (Yes, yes - he's playing with Irving. But Irving is more of a scoring PG too, and they just got Jarrett Jack so they can play him off the ball.)
Where does it say he's being played at off-guard? The part of the scrimmage they showed (In between all the fucking talking) he was at the point. Some of the players comments about him were also about him at the point. But regardless of where he plays on the National Team, Lillard is a scoring PG, not an off guard. I really don't understand why you can't see that from his play last year. Just because he can also score doesn't mean he can't run a team. Some say he is part of a new breed of PG's, but I see them more as a throw back in the mold of Walt Frazier and Jerry West. Guy's who can run an offense but can score too. With the newer rules prohibiting hand checks, a scoring PG is ideal.
From the quoted article: For the second consecutive day, Lillard was featured as his team's off-guard, meaning he had to guard players two to three inches taller than him. He did more than held his own today.
On the defense end he may have been. On the offensive end it looked liked they shared the PG responsibilities. It shows that Lillard is stronger than Kyrie at this point and has the better chance of guarding a bigger players. "In that time, it was pretty clear who were the two best point guards of the day – Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard."
Also when listening to the interview with either Colangelo or coach K (I can't remember which one) they were clear that the national team likes to have 2 PG's on the floor at the same time. Who wouldn't if they can get away with it on the defensive end?
On a superstar team you don't want a PG to dominate the ball since there are so many excellent shot creators. On the Blazers and most NBA teams; its better for players like Lillard to dominate the ball since normally he is far and away the best option to create offense. I think its very valuable he has the flexibility to play either role.
Lillard is working on his defense? <<drooling sound>> Damn, but if that doesn't show some maturity and self-awareness of the shortcomings in his game. How about we have Dame talk to Meyers?
Is it bad that I would prefer no Blazer ever be involved with National teams? Additional threat of injury, socialization with players from more lucrative markets putting thoughts in their heads about playing elsewhere, and added miles on bodies that have finite lifetimes limits on the pounding basketball can do to them?
I can see both sides of the coin. There is nothing more honorable than representing your country though.
I respectfully disagree. Is there a better vehicle to practice during the summer? Coach K is a great instructor regardless of level of hoops. And having to execute against an entire team of elite players? I remember the vibe around the 1992 Olympic team about how the players said they had never played such competitive hoops as they did during practice. I think an experience like this can only help Lillard. We're all sensitive to injury, but I think it's worth the risk (how many players have been grievously injured playing USA basketball?).
Maybe not "bad", but perhaps myopic. The benefit they gain by playing with other top-flight players and under other top-notch coaches is valuable and helps to make them better. Many players have commented on how much they learn and benefit from the national team experience. I'm more interested in that than I am fearful of "wear-and-tear"
Hell just in recent history, look at the guys who participated on Team USA. Melo- came back as a far more efficient scorer and had some of his best seasons LBJ- climbed to GOAT status after working on his killer instinct Curry- career year after stint Love- went from a chubby rebounder to top tier PF Westbrook- went from a reckless combo guard to a top 5 PG The system works for young guys who take full advantage of it, and Dame certainly looks like he wants to work. I'm fully expecting a DWade esque second year leap from him. Beast mode.
