Damian Lillard Needs To Get Out Of Portland Before It's Too Late
(Photo courtesy of nba.com)
A little less than a week ago, the Portland Trailblazers lost their first round series to the Denver Nuggets. Damian Lillard played phenomenal (of course) averaging 34 points along with 10 assists per game. He shot 46% from the field, 45% from three, and an absurd 94% from the charity stripe. However, his team once again sold and as a result they went home in the first round.
CJ McCollum averaged 21 points shooting 44% from the field and 33% from three. That won’t get it done. Norman Powell and Robert Convington both shot 50% from the field, which is impressive, meanwhile Carmelo Anthony shot 42% from the field and 38% from three; which for being “washed” is pretty damn good from my perspective.
Overall, the offense was pretty good, so why are the Blazers going home again? Well, their defense was atrocious. They allowed 121 points a game which again, won’t cut it. Nikola Jokić cooked Jusuf Nurkić the entire series and Michael Porter Jr. played like a man amongst boys shooting a ridiculous 54% from the field. The Blazers need defense and I don’t think it can be fixed in a year considering nobody in their right mind wants to play in Portland.
Dame needs to get out of Portland now because this is his best chance. This might be a ‘now or never’ offseason for the talented point guard. Terry Stots agreed to step down as the coach, so a new coach could start fresh without Lillard and have a bunch of young players to develop. Numerous teams could use Lillard and are essentially ready to deal for him. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want Dame Time?
Obviously the Lakers and Clippers are going to be in the running with Dennis Schroder becoming a free agent and Reggie Jackson being a free agent respectively. Both teams have a lot of free agents, but could still offer key pieces for another star player.
I strongly believe the Mavericks need to be all in on pursuing the all-star this offseason. They just got eliminated by the Clippers and the main reason is because every player not named Luka or Dorian played poorly in game 7. Kristaps Porziņģis was supposed to be the sidekick for Luka Dončić, but he hasn’t been the same since he tore his ACL. If Luka had Lillard, that would be near impossible for opposing defenses to guard, and with some good role players the Mavericks could be a dangerous team down the stretch.
Dallas is a top market yet it seems like nobody wants to sign there. If the Mavericks can land Lillard, I can almost guarantee they would attract other talented free agents. Lillard should force his way out because he’s trapped in Portland right now and if even he requests a trade I think the fans will be upset, but will realize he’s given them so much to get next to nothing in return. Dame deserves a legitimate chance to win a championship and if he doesn’t leave Portland soon, he may never get that opportunity.