Nice. https://www.talkbasket.net/50087-blazers-damian-lillard-i-want-to-be-the-best-trail-blazer-ever The Portland Trail Blazer point guard Damian Lillard spoke on his final goal as a player and his obligation to the city of Portland: Per Billboard: “I want to be the best Trail Blazer ever. And I think, it’s bigger than basketball to me. I think, obviously, you have to have the numbers to back it up which I am already on track for. I’m second in points. I think I am top three in assists. Free throws made, three pointers made, I’m No. 1. Like I’m up there as far as the stats......... ........"I’m representing the city. A lot of the best players that played here, that are considered the best players, didn’t want to play here and eventually left. Once I got on, I wanted to play here. I enjoy living here. I think I’m right there. I just got to continue doing what I’m doing and finish it off right,” (CONTINUED)
That to me is why you don't trade him unless he asks (which I doubt he will). Look at what guys like Dirk did for Dallas, he kept them relevant for over a decade, because he embraced it, they built around him. That doesn't mean the Blazers get a ring with Dame, but it's really important to have a superstar and a guy who may put up HoF type numbers say I love this place and want to be here. I mean sure if someone said you could get Kawhi or someone like that for Dame I guess go ahead and think about it, but most superstars are moving team to team, and I think it's great to pay Dame for his loyalty here and hopefully they can build a winner around him.
Dame signed an extension a couple of years before he had to, so he's kinda locked up into his 30's now. LMA didn't do that.
that jab though! I dont give a fuck about championships being the deciding factor in best blazer ever. Dame already IS the best blazer ever. There is no argument. You can try to have one, but i wont agree with it.
One and sticking with the team should make it undisputed. Or one championship and one grammy. Tend to agree with Strenuus though, he has the commitment, marquee moments, and overall stats that he all-ready is. Though, I'd entertain the arguments of Dame vs Clyde vs Walton, I'd still be backing Dame.
I agree. The two other contenders would be Walton and Drexler. Walton won a title, but he only played here a short time and forced his way out, thereby blowing the championship team apart. Clyde didn't get it done to win a title. He was great, but does anyone really think he worked as hard as Dame does to maximize his contributions to the team? Clyde was a tremendous athlete, but he had a bit of lazy in him and cruised a lot on his natural athletic gifts. Dame gets the title as Blazers GOAT from me hands down.
At this point all Dame has to do is retire with the Blazers and it’s a done deal, best Blazer ever, even if he doesn’t get past Clyde in points. He’s currently my favorite blazer ever, but he’s my generation so it’s a no brainer for me. I understand it’s a tougher sell for some of the more seasoned fans though.
Bill Walton played 4 seasons with Portland, went to the playoffs twice, of course winning the championship the 1st year he went to the playoffs with Portland (his 3rd year). He never averaged more than 65 games a season because of injury. He played in 209 out of 328 regular season games in his four years. He didn't play his last year because of a foot injury. He averaged 17.1 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks. He was a finals MVP, a NBA MVP, 2x All star. He was a NBA rebounding and Blocks leader. He owns 3 Blazers all time records (rebounds per game, player efficency rating, and defensive rating) Walton was one of three Blazers to record a 5x5. Ultimately, he damanded to be traded citing ill treatment by the Blazers. He left a FA. Clyde Drexler played for the Trail Blazers for 11 1\2 seasons including a Blazers best 63-19 1990-91 season. He went to the playoffs with Portland every season of that time. He was part of two Finals appearances (1989-90 and 1991-92) and a Conference Final in between. He was an 8x all star with Portland. He holds 20 Blazers all time records. He averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. He was a member of the The Dream Team and was considered the 2nd best SG in the NBA next to Michael Jordan. Drexler asked to be traded to the Rockets so he could win a championship. The Blazers traded him. Damian Lillard has played for the Blazers for seven seasons, leading Portland to the playoffs for six of those. He has made it as far as the western conference finals with Portland. He is a 4x All star. He holds 5 Blazers all time records. He is one of three nba players to debut with a 20 pt, 10 ast game (Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson were the other two) He won rookie of the year. He has thus far averaged 23.5 pts, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Lillard has sworn he will not leave the Blazers and will do everything he can to bring a championship to Portland. These three players are the only Blazers to make the All NBA first team. Who is the best?
One suggested correction: Clyde was considered to be the second best shooting guard of his era (and there was a significant gap between him and Jordan). He was never considered the second best player overall.
I think Dame will hit his goal, but I'm not quite ready to put him there right now. I think he needs at least one trip to the finals to pass up Clyde.
Call it semantics or whatever you like. To me Lillard is the best Blazer ever. He may not yet have the records, a championship or an MVP but he is the best Blazer representative period. Perhaps different than being the best Blazer player ever (and that is not far off IMO). Gramps...
