After a 2021/22 season to forget, both for him (only 29 games played) and for the Blazers (27 wins – 55 losses), Damian Lillard started a new chapter in his career at Oregon this season.
Within a reshuffled workforce which gave him satisfaction at the dawn of the season, the leader, who celebrated his 32nd birthday this summer, wants to regain ambition with his Blazers. A lucrative summer for him since he extended for two more years, and 122 million dollars, thus binding with his always club until 2027.
And at the same time clarifying his situation: his future remains in the “City Of Roses”.
” It has always been a home to me. A lot of players I’ve met here who came from another team told me that the biggest difference they noticed was the way the organization ran its day-to-day business, the way people were treated. For me, it’s a reminder that the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. From my personal experience. And I wouldn’t want to find myself somewhere else in a situation where I’m like, ‘Damn, is that what it’s like here? I’m stuck then.’ » thus declared “Lady”. ” Besides, I’m close to Oakland. My family comes to see me regularly. Some members have even settled in Portland. I got involved in this community. At this stage of my career, this is my home. »
The winning formula? The mix of veterans and young talents
Then the six-time All-Star to recall, once again, that he has only one plan in mind for the last part of his career. The same who, since 2012, has motivated his unwavering loyalty to the Oregon franchise. ” [Le club] hasn’t won since 1977. I want to be one of those changing that. Really. It would be the icing on the cake for me, having invested 11 years of my life in the club, almost my entire adult life. »
Thus, his quest for the Grail continues.
” I think we can aim for the title. We have a good mix of experienced veterans and young guys. Today, it’s the winning formula in the league. The era of ‘superteams’ is no longer really relevant. The teams that go the furthest are the ones that can play fast, defend, those that have the experience and the good leaders. I think we are in this category. continues the Portland point guard. ” But we have to stay healthy for that. Me first. I’m juggling calf glitches this season. Gary Payton II still hasn’t played. Others are still looking for their rhythm, like Nassir [Little] who has been absent for a long time. So I think when you add all those things up, that’s where we’ll be seen at our best. »
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | ORP | 82 | 39 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 84.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2013-14 | ORP | 82 | 36 | 42.4 | 39.4 | 87.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 20.7 |
| 2014-15 | ORP | 82 | 36 | 43.4 | 34.3 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 21.0 |
| 2015-16 | ORP | 75 | 36 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.1 |
| 2016-17 | ORP | 75 | 36 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 27.0 |
| 2017-18 | ORP | 73 | 37 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 91.6 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | ORP | 80 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 91.2 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 25.8 |
| 2019-20 | ORP | 66 | 38 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | ORP | 67 | 36 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 92.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 28.8 |
| 2021-22 | ORP | 29 | 36 | 40.2 | 32.4 | 87.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 24.0 |
| 2022-23 | ORP | 11 | 35 | 42.2 | 33.3 | 87.5 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 7.0 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 26.3 |
| Total | 722 | 36 | 43.7 | 37.2 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 24.7 | |
