DAMIAN LILLARD NAMED NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR Lillard becomes the second five-time All-Star in Trail Blazers history PORTLAND, Ore. (January 30, 2020) –Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been named an NBA Western Conference All-Star reserve by a vote of NBA head coaches, it was announced today by the league. Lillard is averaging career highs of 29.0 points (45.6% FG, 38.5% 3-PT, 88.6% FT) and 7.8 assists to go with 4.3 rebounds and 0.98 steals for the Trail Blazers this season. He ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring, sixth in assists and is second in the league in three-pointers made and free throws made. “As our franchise cornerstone, Damian continues to exceed expectations on the court and in our community,” said Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. “Once again being recognized by the coaches who face him on a nightly basis confirms to the basketball world what we in Portland are lucky enough to witness day in and day out.” An NBA All-Star in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019, Lillard becomes the second player in franchise history to become a five-time All-Star (Drexler, eight). Lillard is one of three players in the league who is averaging at least 29.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists this season and is the only player in the NBA who has scored at least 60 points in a game twice this season. The five starters from the Western Conference, decided by player, media and fan balloting, consist of Anthony Davis (L.A. Lakers), Luka Dončić (Dallas), James Harden (Houston), LeBron James (L.A. Lakers) and Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers). In addition to Lillard, the reserves from the West are Rudy Gobert (Utah), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans), Nikola Jokic (Denver), Donovan Mitchell (Utah), Chris Paul (Oklahoma City) and Russell Westbrook (Houston). The 2020 NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the United Center in Chicago, airing live at 5 p.m. PT on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States. The NBA All-Star Game will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.
Quick mentioned that Dame's back is not well yet. He's still dealing with it, just hasn't said anything. Makes it even more impressive.
Lillard is on another level right now. Here's a look at how his scoring average has progressed throughout the year - With his scoring burst over the past 4 games, he's increased his average points/gm from 27.1 to 29.0. As you can see from his previous 3 seasons, a 2 point jump like that hasn't happened for him this late in the season. Not only is Lillard averaging a career high 29.0 pts/gm, he's also averaging a career high 7.8 assists/gm. That's a pretty good increase over his career average of 6.4 ast/gm. Especially when his turnovers/game has essentially remained unchanged. Over the past few years I keep thinking we've seen Dame's peak. Every year he proves me wrong. Wow.
The AS break couldn't come at a more perfect time to get him right. Essentially a full week off the court is amazing.
Gotta love Zach Lowe's comment on Lillard in his ESPN article on 11 things he likes in the NBA right now: " 7. Damian Lillard. That is all. Lillard is a bad, bad man. I would have included his stats from Portland's past six games, but my laptop caught fire when I looked them up. Lillard has some Kobe in him, doesn't he?" I'll try to forgive him that last line because I'm sure he meant it in the best way possible.
