Published 03/31/2023, 3:50 PM EDT
Nov 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) checks the scoreboard during the second half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA has often seen Damian Lillard come to the rescue of the Portland Trail Blazers. He has single-handedly won games for his lifelong franchise. At this point in the season, the organization would be in dying need of Lillard’s heroics. Unfortunately, their regular season is most likely to end in an upset as Dame Dolla is reportedly shut down for the season. Yet another year and no championship for the seven-time All-Star. Lillard’s love for the city of Portland is undeniable. However, this does bring the question, of just how long is the superstar willing to wait.
For the longest time analysts, fans, and pundits have debated over the 32-year-old’s decision to stay with the Trail Blazers. The one argument remains unchanged, Lillard needs a chip to define his NBA legacy. During a recent rant, the Portland superstar expressed his annoyance with the media who fail to understand him as a person.
Damian Lillard speaks against the media
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After being shut down for the season, the news around Lillard began escalating yet again. Far from winning a title this season, the media put forward the question, what’s next for Dame? Everyone has made an opinion on what his next move should be. But rather than relying on the fans for information, Casey Holdahl decided to speak with the man of the hour himself.
Damian Lillard sat down with the reporter to discuss his devastation upon finding out about his injury and what he hopes for from the Trail Blazers in the coming off-season. When it came to the conversation about the assumptions made in media, the seven-time All-Star hit a bad nerve. He had an outburst against the media implying half don’t even know what they are talking about.
USA Today via Reuters Nov 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) falls into the scorers table during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
For Lillard, his legacy isn’t defined by a championship. The 32-year-old grew tired of the notion that a ring means everything. While he acknowledges it as the most important, ignoring someone’s brilliance throughout their career doesn’t sit right with Dame Dolla. In addition, when it came to his future, he thinks the media only speaks as they know him. However, in reality, Damian Lillard says they don’t know him and his values as a person.
He told Holdahl during his appearance on ‘The Brief Case’, “They don’t know our lives. They don’t know why we make the decisions we make.” Lillard went further, “They don’t know why we attached to the things we attached to. They just speak from, they speak as far as they understand. And they just don’t understand.”
Fans blast Lillard for his recent statement
Damian Lillard knows the modern media and fans very well. So when he blasted away at them during his conversations with Holdahl, the 32-year-old probably expected retaliation. And the fans didn’t disappoint. The Trail Blazers stars’ take drew in some major backlash from the NBA world.
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Judging from his initial reaction, it doesn’t seem like Lillard is shifting franchises in the coming off-season. According to you, is it wise for the seven-time All-Star to choose loyalty at this point of his career?