[video=youtube;AUaPpgDpa9w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AUaPpgDpa9w[/video] Pretty entertaining breakdown. The Paul comparison may be a little over-zealous.
I love me some Damian, don't get me wrong. But I can't believe all the names that have been tossed out there as comparisons (not that I haven't been guilty of it myself). Paul, Rose, Westbrook, Isiah Thomas, Oscar Robertson, Hardaway, AI, etc. While I can see flashes of each in Lillard, I haven't seen a comparison that truly fits (or that I love, though, I'd take any of the above guys in their prime and be happy). I guess, if nothing else, we should revel in the fact that even national media is heaping so much praise on Lillard and throwing out all these comparisons. It means we have a potential star on our hands, and he's caught everybody's eye. I don't think Brandon brought this much hype, this soon.
I guess you can make any stat look a certain way but with that said I am encouraged by this breakdown on his defensive stats. I dont think he will ever be an all-nba defender but I do think he will get quite a bit better.
I was being guarded just like you. My comparison for him was more modest than most: a more athletic Steph Curry. Then I watched him play live. Blew me away how smooth and poised this kid is.
CP was in a league of his own earlier in his career with his ball handling, speed, and passing. Don't think Dame is there yet, but he does play a lot like the CP as of late. Cool and controlled, makes the right pass, and has a deadly shot, but isn't as explosive in finishing at the rim.
Not really seeing the Paul comparisons too much. He's more like Curry http://www.basketball-reference.com...m=0&p1=curryst01&y1=2013&p2=lillada01&y2=2013 In fact, he's almost EXACTLY like Curry this season.
I went and saw the Clips on Wednesday. Not sure why CP3 is as good as he is....but he just is. He doesn't appear to be explosive, nor does he demonstrate superior shooting. But he always plays under control and usually gets the ball to the right player at the right time. He reminds me a lot of John Stockton. Very few PG's make it look so easy. And I wouldn't say his supporting cast is all that intelligent. But he sure makes them look good. The Clippers are so much more Show Time right now than the Lakers that it is ridiculous. Yet sports talk radio down here is all Lakers all the time and barely a mention of the Clips. We know Lillard likes to watch tape. The Blazers need to get him as much CP3 video as possible. (other than his constant whining) Right now he has a ways to go in terms of making his teammates better if he wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Chris Paul.
He still reminds me of a PG version of Brandon Roy, in terms of his poise and control. Maybe Brandon lite. Better three point shooter, obviously not the same at breaking down the defense and taking it to the basket.
If you ISOed Lillard he would have the same breakdown ability. Lillard actually knows how to play well within a team system. If anything, Roy is Lillard lite
I like the way you think. I was thinking about Brandon's size advantage. And I'll give Lillard more time to work that into his game. Thank god he doesn't have to and good riddance Iso offense.
Not sure I agree with the guy's assessment of Lillard's defense. Not that I'm complaining about Lillard's defense. I'd say he's average at best right now, and some of that comes with being a rookie from a weaker college conference. +1 to the Roy comparisons. I love how he seems so in control.
But here's the thing.... he tries. It's not for a lack of effort. I think the defense will come. I really wish the Blazers would hire Gary Payton to tutor the lad because Payton (as much as I hated him) is still on of my all-time favorite point guards in terms of what he could do. The guy was unstoppable on offense (much to my chagrin when he played us) and he was a lockdown defender.
