LeBron's teams didn't win > 50 games until his 6th season. In his first five years, his team won 35, 42, 50, 50 and 45 games. That's an average of of 44.4 wins/season. In Lillard's first 5 seasons, his team won 33, 54, 51, 45, and 41 games. That's an average of 44.8 wins/season. Obviously, there is more in play that team success. I'm not saying Lillard is as good as LeBron. That's not a slight on Lillard. LeBron was a sensation with his team's games being carried on ESPN while he was still in high school. He was already wildly heralded as the next all time NBA great. He went right from high school to the NBA where he averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game as a teenager with zero college experience. Not even Kobe or KG, or any other straight from high school player has ever come close to those numbers. There was a buzz and mystique about LeBron before he even set foot on an NBA court. It was justified. Lillard was an unknown four year player at a small school in a shitty conference. So, in addition to being much older than LeBron as a rookie, no one really knew who he was. LeBron is better, way better, but that shouldn't diminish what Lillard has accomplished. It's still pretty impressive when you look at the other names on those lists, and especially, when you also consider the great players who aren't on those lists. BNM
I also think one reason he's underrated is the current depth of talent at the PG position during the prime of his career. There are so many other great PGs, it's really hard to stand out. There are basically two great small forwards, one great power forward, one great SG and one Greek Freak, but there are/have been several other all time great PGs in the league for Dame's entire career. BNM
No one is trying to diminish his accomplishments. I was just offering an opinion on why he may seem underrated
I think the number one reason is he plays in a small, isolated market. Hopefully, the team will continue winning and get past the first round of the playoffs. More nationally televised games will garner more recognition for what he's accomplished/is accomplishing. I think everyone around the league recognizes just how good he is. I just think it's the casual fans/general public that underrates him. BNM
Well..... Jordan had Pippen and Rodman. Kareem had Magic and Worthy. LeBron didn't win anything until he had Bosh and Wade. Bird had McHale and Parish. Dame has..... CJ. How legendary would some of these guys have been if they had extremely subpar talent surrounding them?
Westbrook plays in OKC Greek freak in Milwaukee Leonard, Duncan SA Davis in NO All in smaller markets
Dame averages 19.2 shots per game. You know our record. If Westbrick shot that much what would their record be?
If your definition of "warrior" is "guy who goes out and chases stats, sometimes to the detriment of the team, and plays selfish basketball for his own benefit" then... yeah.... he's a warrior.
Dame would have had many more assists if he had even one more good shooter on his team. Same goes for scoring as well.
