The inside story of how Damian Lillard became the Blazers’ franchise player

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SlyPokerDog, May 12, 2016.

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  1. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    When Paul Allen and Neil Olshey walked out of a June meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge, the Portland Trail Blazers’ owner and general manager were uneasy with the two words that had been ominously absent from Aldridge’s lips: Damian Lillard.
    Before the start of free agency, the exhausting, contradictory nature of Aldridge left Blazers officials uneasy. When Olshey had arrived as general manager five years ago, Aldridge was a star stranded on a lottery team. Surround me with talent, Aldridge implored. Olshey dipped into the next NBA draft and delivered Lillard, an All-Star point-guard talent with character for miles.


    For all of Aldridge’s personal success and the Blazers’ winning over the next three years, for every way in which Lillard tried to be a deferential co-star – passing on praise in the locker room and assertion on the court – Aldridge treated Lillard like a competitor, as someone stealing his spotlight.


    Aldridge walked out the door, Olshey reassembled the roster, and Lillard signed a five-year, $120 million extension with one hand and clutched something else with the other: The responsibility that goes with a max deal, with a franchise star’s stature.


    And back then, here’s something that no one could’ve imagined: Aldridge’s season could end only 24 hours after Lillard’s, with the Spurs in Oklahoma City for Game 6 Thursday.

    Read the rest here:

    http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-in...-the-blazers--franchise-player-143536444.html
     
    SlyPokerDog, May 12, 2016
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  2. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    It pays to be on Woj's good side.

    Can never imagine Woj writing an article like that about Dame if KP were our GM instead of Neil.
     
    illmatic99, May 12, 2016
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  3. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    Never thought I'd say this, Go Thunder.
     
    HailBlazers, May 12, 2016
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  4. Strenuus

    Strenuus Well-Known Member

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    Lets be Thunder Buddies!!!
     
    Strenuus, May 12, 2016
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  5. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    Woj LOVES NO. Pretty sure he will spill Neil's gospel if Neil wanted him to.
     
    B-Roy, May 12, 2016
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  6. BlazerCaravan

    BlazerCaravan Hug a Bigot... to Death

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    Damn, what a fantastic article.
     
    BlazerCaravan, May 12, 2016
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  7. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I hate the Thunder... but my intense desire to see LaMarcus Aldridge fall flat on his face far surpasses any hatred I have for OKC.
     
    Natebishop3, May 12, 2016
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  8. Nhawz

    Nhawz Lickety Brindle

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    Somebody tweet this to LaMarsha
     
    Nhawz, May 12, 2016
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  9. santeesioux

    santeesioux Just keep on scrolling by

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    Woj needs to write a nice article about how every good free agent should want to come here and send it to Kevin Durant.
     
    santeesioux, May 12, 2016
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  10. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    He deleted all of his social media accounts this year after a bad game.
     
    SlyPokerDog, May 12, 2016
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  11. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    He shut down his twitter account lol
     
    B-Roy, May 12, 2016
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  12. KeepOnRollin

    KeepOnRollin Well-Known Member

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    Just came in to say this. Article was top-notch.
     
    KeepOnRollin, May 12, 2016
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  13. Nhawz

    Nhawz Lickety Brindle

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    Haha typical
     
    Nhawz, May 12, 2016
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  14. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    TBpup, May 12, 2016
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  15. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    I like that Woj takes Aldridge to task a bit. :beatinto:
     
    TBpup, May 12, 2016
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  16. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Truth be told, the Blazers are developing one of the best winning cultures in the NBA, born of a GM and coach forging one of the league’s most formidable partnerships.

    That's why you don't tank.
     
    Denny Crane, May 12, 2016
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  17. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    You're a day late and a dollar short, TBPup!
     
    Natebishop3, May 12, 2016
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  18. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Money quote:

    "Truth be told, the Blazers are developing one of the best winning cultures in the NBA, born of a GM and coach forging one of the league’s most formidable partnerships."

    That's why you don't tank.
     
    Denny Crane, May 12, 2016
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  19. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    "And back then, here’s something that no one could’ve imagined: Aldridge’s season could end only 24 hours after Lillard’s, with the Spurs in Oklahoma City for Game 6 Thursday................."

    I can't believe I will be pulling for OKC tonight.......but I will be.
     
    Pinwheel1, May 12, 2016
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  20. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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    I'm thoroughly convinced Woj is a Neil Olshey plant.
     
    EL PRESIDENTE, May 12, 2016
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