DAMIAN LILLARD NAMED NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Portland star averages 52.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists for the week PORTLAND, Ore. (January 27, 2020) –Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the week ending January 26, it was announced today by the league. For the week, Lillard averaged 52.7 points (53.4% FG, 57.4% 3-PT, 94.9% FT), 7.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists while guiding the Trail Blazers to a 2-1 record. During the week, Lillard became the first player in Trail Blazers history to score 40-plus points in three consecutive games and became the second player in league history to make at least eight three-pointers in three consecutive games. Lillard started the week by scoring a franchise-record 61 points (17-37 FG, 11-20 3-PT, 16-16 FT) to go with 10 rebounds, seven assists and one steal in an overtime victory over Golden State on Jan. 20. His 61 points are the most points scored in an NBA game this season while his 11 three-pointers were also a franchise record. In a loss to Dallas on Jan. 23, Lillard recorded 47 points (16-28 FG, 8-15 3-PT, 7-7 FT), six rebounds, eight assists and one steal. It was his 25th career game with 40-plus points. Lillard closed the week with 50 points (14-23 FG, 8-12 3-PT, 14-16 FT), six rebounds and 13 assists to lead Portland to a win over Indiana on Jan. 26. It marked the fifth time in NBA history that a player scored 50-plus points on 23 or fewer field goal attempts. For the season, Lillard is averaging 28.8 points (45.5% FG, 38.2% 3-PT, 88.8% FT), 4.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists. He ranks fifth in the league in scoring average, sixth in assists per game and is second in both three-pointers made (170) and free throws made (317). It is the eighth time in his career that Lillard has won the weekly honor and the first time this season.
Perhaps the biggest 'Duh' by the NBA office in decades. But credit where credit is due, they got it right.
It's really starting to feel like the D'Antoni system. Except Dame doesn't get the foul calls, and we're making Melo sort of work. There was a great interview with Steve Nash a few weeks ago and he talked a lot about how much the game has changed and how he wished he'd shot a lot more than he did. (I know I was always relieved when we played him and he wasn't shooting.) On every play of every night, just like Dame, he was the best scoring option. If you are an elite point guard, you don't need to "keep the teammates involved" with passing. It's the point guard's job to get points. It's your teammates' job to make it easier with screens and spacing and dunks and doing more of the dirty work on the defensive end. Dame has realized that the status quo was going to waste a prime year of his, with the team missing the playoffs. CJ and Melo can battle for third banana, mostly when Dame needs a breather.
I'm proud of his achievements but I know he would rather have a winning record team with a playoff position instead.
It would be interesting, albeit a TON of work, to see what Hardens scoring and shooting %'s would be if he didn't get the benefit of a lot of phantom calls.
Did he do enough to win player of the month? I'm guessing not because of the record but he sure as hell made a run at it!