Interesting coincidences about Lillard's Assists: when he gets 8 or more assists, we're 14-4. Makes sense, as assists are a symptom of good shooting. When he gets exactly 6 assists, we're 6-4. Not as good, but better than our record by a decent amount. But we're (get this) 1-8 when he gets exactly 7 assists. It's so weird! I can't explain it, except that maybe they're games where that 8th assist would have put us over the top, but the shot missed. And of course, when he gets 5 or fewer, we suck (5-14).
They've all hit big-time difficult clutch shots in the last 24 hours. But I do think Lillard's having a little bit of difficultly getting those crazy long threes off like he did early in the season. Better defenseive schemes on him, tired arms, whatever. He's still awesome as hell, and is clutch in other ways (driving).
It's so surprising to see a rookie guard get the kind of defensive pressure that Lillard has to face every game now, but he's dealing with it. The drives to the hoop are excellent. The defense collapses on him and he either gets fouled, makes the basket, or dishes it out to an open man. It's all good.
I just have to add that Lillard's rise to stardom will be enhanced by his good looks. It will make him more "marketable" by the league and more attractive to corporate sponsors. This was part of Jordan's success story, and it will be part of Lillard's, too.
Wait, which kind of good looks? Jordan was good looking? Not according to Barkley: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130220/charles-barkley-50th-birthday/
i love love love me some lillard, but he needs to bring his shooting up from .416, and i think he will
