http://www.csnnw.com/portland-trail...s-excellent-preseason-continues-trail-blazers If I've had one issue with Damian Lillard it has been his lack of efficiency for large sections of games. "Lillard Time" will sometimes turn a 3-11 night into an 8-17 night after a really hot stretch of a couple of minutes. Over the long season, those number bore out to a .419 FG%. Now of course his eff% was higher because of the amount of 3's he takes (and makes) but his 3-pt percentage wasn't near elite level either. Come 2016/17, there seem to be changes. The above article talks about a 'Chris Paul-esque' performance against Utah not only in what he did but how he did it. "Lillard this preseason is averaging 19 points in 25 minutes while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three-point range." Yes it's the Pre-Season but that is more along the lines of Superstar status and equivocates the next step Dame will need to take from being just a star. I don't expect quite that level of production to continue (27 per 36 mpg at that rate) but what I do like is the more level consistency. There was one very poor shooting night but for the most part, it has been much more level in terms of being consistent and not relying on "Lillard Time" to crawl over the 40% mark. Dame has so much going for him in terms of drive, leadership and skill. It will be a treat to watch if he can take that next step up.
If Dame says he's going to improve something, I believe it, more than anyone else I've ever heard say that sort of thing.
except defense.... badda-bing! Seriously, in the games I've watched so far he has looked like the best player on either team, by far.
I noticed this too. His efficiency has been such an upgrade. His defense I think will always be mediocre at best but in every other area of the game he has made so many improvements. I see him having the same percentages for the season honestly
If Lillard played the same amount of minutes per game, and shot the same amount of 3s and FGs as he did last year, but shot the 48.7 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from 3pt, he would average 28.2 points per game. Per 36 thats about 28.5 So if he can manage to shoot those percentages with the same volume of shots as last year, his per 36 stats would look something like 28.5 ppg, 7 apg, and 4 reb. Thats insane.
. Now if Lillard is able to keep up that efficiency while shooting .487 FGs and .438 3pt, whole shooting an extra 0.5 FGs and an extra 0.25 3s, then he average 29 ppg. 29/7/4 on 49/44/90 would make him a top 3 MVP candidate. Now, I don't expect that big of an increase in efficiency, but it goes to show that improved efficiency is the only thing left for him to improve on to win an MVP award (granted, it's not a defensive award).
If Curry can improve his efficiency like he did last season compared to what he was the season before I certainly think Lillard can do the same. I won't ever underestimate Dame.
