Damian Lillard sheds light on current state of NBA, doesn’t “enjoy” what the league has become as a result of “ring culture”
Lillard's criticism sheds light on the growing concerns of NBA players about the league's focus on super-teams and the pressure to win at all costs.
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Damian Lillard (Photo by Twitter/NBA Central)
In a recent interview on the Old Man and the Three podcast with JJ Redick, Damian Lillard, star for the Portland Trail Blazers, talked about his views on the current state of the NBA and his strategy for winning a championship. Lillard conveyed his love for basketball and his enthusiasm for facing tough competition. He also indicated that he is confident in his current approach towards pursuing a championship.
Lillard, who has played for the Blazers throughout his career, has established himself as one of the top and most loyal players in the history of the team. He has been recognized with six All-NBA honors, which include a first-team recognition in 2018, four second-team recognitions in 2016 and from 2019-2021, and one third-team recognition in 2014.
However, despite his individual success, Lillard has yet to win a championship. He acknowledges the importance of winning a title, but also believes that the journey and the process are just as important.
“I feel like I play for the love of the game,” Lillard said. “I want the competition. I want to know what it feels like to win. I want to see my teammates do well. I enjoy the bonding part of it, like we spend more time with each other than anybody.”
Lillard added, “While I understand we play to win championships – we all want to win the championship – we can’t keep acting like nothing matters, Like the rest of this stuff, the journey, doesn’t matter. We can’t keep doing that. … I don’t know if I can just play a long, long time, because I don’t enjoy what the NBA as a whole is becoming.”
Lillard’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among NBA players increasingly concerned about the league’s focus on super-teams and the pressure to win at all costs. Lillard’s commitment to his team and teammates and his emphasis on the joy of the game make him a rare and valuable player in today’s NBA.
Damian Lillard reflects on the evolution of the NBA from his childhood to modern times
Portland Trail Blazers star player, Damian Lillard, acknowledges the changes in today’s NBA league. Lillard says there is a greater emphasis on player empowerment and winning championships, as opposed to when he was growing up. Players now use their influence to recruit big-name stars to their respective teams.
The Blazers are ranked 13th in the Western Conference with a 31-38 record, making a playoff run almost impossible without Lillard’s best performance. As the face of the franchise, Lillard knows that the team’s success depends heavily on his contributions. Lillard has been having a solid season, averaging 32.1 points and 7.3 assists per game.
However, the Blazers have been struggling, losing six of their last ten games. Despite this, Lillard remains optimistic about their chances and believes they can turn things around.
The Blazers must rely on Lillard’s leadership and exceptional skills to make a playoff push. The team has dealt with injuries and uncertainties, but Lillard is confident they can overcome these challenges and compete at the highest level.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)