For those that don't want to click to IG to see the quote on the second slide: "This is one of the times of my life where I feel extremely happy. Every Day, I wake up and I'm thankful. I'm waking up seeing my kids, taking them to school. I can just drive down to my mom's house. It's a blessing, man. I couldn't be happier" Damian Lillard
Lillard says he’s found his joy again in Portland. It’s been great. I’m not an overly expressive person, but I think in my adulthood — coming back here at this time, with the age of my kids, with where the team is — it just feels right. The team has developed and grown over the last couple of years. Being back where I spent the first 11 years of my career — this is one of the times in my life where I feel extremely happy. Every day, I wake up and I’m thankful. I’m waking up seeing my kids, taking them to school. I can just drive down to my mom’s house. It’s a blessing, man. I couldn’t be happier.” How can you not be happy for this guy.
When I saw this, it made me wonder if Dame would be happier if he just retired and took a role with the team (front office or head coach)... he might even be able to get the $36M the team signed him for, if it's a medical retirement.
I don't know the guy but I agree with you that he seems far more competitive than anyone I know but him saying that he's the happiest he's ever been, being at home with his kids just makes me feel like maybe the guy has done enough as a player. I don't expect that to be the most popular opinion but at his age the likelihood of him coming back and looking anything like his previous self on the court is very low. I get it that this guy has been beating the odds his whole life and selfishly I want some more Dame Time magic. I just think at 35... 36 when he next plays in a game, coming off of an Achilles rupture, he might be better off transitioning to civilian life... he's living that normal life for the first time ever right now and saying it's the happiest he's ever been. That's all I'm saying. Again, selfishly nothing would make me happier than winning with Dame on the team to enjoy it. I was just talking very hypothetically about a guy that I don't know based on the most recent thing he said.
I don’t think so. I personally went through my own injury and eventual retirement from the sport I was playing. There was no way I was going to ride off into the sunset and not give it one last shot. BRoy was the same way. Lillard won’t just stop playing until he’s convinced he’s done. However when he is done I fully expect him to be part of the Blazers in some way.
I think I if Dame wasn’t one of the best shooters ever, I’d have concern. I’m quite sure he will change his game and we won’t see him drive as much, but the way he can shoot…..man he can still have a positive affect/effect on the court for us.
Here is the video of Dame getting hurt. He was going after a rebound way outside of the paint. I agree he will change his game. But even playing on the perimeter can have it's effects. (Notice how I used that word there) https://www.google.com/search?q=Vid...ate=ive&vld=cid:d97058c5,vid:xIxynT80U50,st:0
Can’t wait for him to check into a game in a Blazer uniform for the first time next year. Place is going to go wild.
Next year? Yes, Dame will play in 2026. Dame will make his debut in the 2026 Christmas game against the Lakers in Beijing.
Meaning not this upcoming season but the next. No, I don’t think he’s going to play a game this upcoming season. Fully expect the team to err on the side of caution.
