Some players just have it. Michael Jordan had it. Bill Russell had it. Kobe Bryant has it. These guys aren't just good--they are capable of elevating an entire team. That's Lillard in a nutshell. He has a fire in his belly like few players. He wants it. He wants it bad. He lives for the big moments. He seizes control when he has to. He delivers. To win an NBA title, you need a great collection of players who pass the ball and play a team game--but you also need a superstar who comes through in the big moments when other players tremble. Lillard is that player. He might just take us to the promised land this season.
Damian Lillard @Dame_Lillard 2m "If what you did yesterday still looks big, then you haven't done much today " Kid just gets it
Spot on Shooter. We saw the birth of a superstar yesterday. And, btw, kudos to the Blazers, Paul Allen, and Neal Olshey. Losing Oden and Roy, getting nothing back for those damaged assets, and yet re-assembling a solid playoff team/contender within 3-4 years? Very impressive.
Wow... this guy is so amazing. 2nd year in the league? Went to Weber State? Unbelievable. Roy was amazing. But Lillard is already eclipsing Roy by getting out of the 1st round, after such a big drought. What a great draft pick (although I will confess I kind of wanted Drummond). So glad that we have a true ice cold killer on this team.
In all fairness to Roy, he had to carry a hefty load in his first playoff matchup against Houston. Aldridge was kind of hit and miss and then we didn't really have much else. Of course, a lot could be blamed on the system Nate had and how it was Roy iso 99% of the time, but Roy played his heart out for us. And of course the other two playoff series against the Suns and Mavs saw Roy just breaking down from the injuries. But I do agree Lillard is unbelievable and hes fitting in with Aldridge to make it happen as opposed to iso plays like we did with Roy.
I think Bruce Campbell basically summarizes what you're trying to say pretty well. [video=youtube;MbBK6HTcaQA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbBK6HTcaQA[/video]
I give Stotts some credit for Lillard's climb but Dame is a superstar now. He's earned his allstar slot and the respect of some of the biggest names in the game. I thought it was interesting in Dwight Howard's end of the series interview when he said LaMarcus and Damian were friends of his. Next Howard will get McHale fired and demand a trade to Portland.
I think this is absolutely correct. It's something that can't be taught and of course does not just apply to sports. Greatness, heart of a champion, whatever you want to call it. Talent is needed of course, and work, but also something more. The difference between Tim Duncan and a perhaps more talented Rasheed Wallace. The difference between Dame and Oden. Whatever mistakes the Blazers made, can you imagine an injured Lillard partying his way through rehab? No fucking way.
