Isiah Thomas says Damian Lillard is not a “vocal leader” for Portland

Legend Isiah Thomas made a few comments surrounding Damian Lillard during the broadcast of yesterday’s loss to the Cavaliers.

The Portland Trail Blazers fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Damian Lillard’s return, 127-110. Close for three quarters, the Blazers could not finish the game and dropped to 19-18 on the season, 7^th in the Western Conference.

In the game’s broadcast, Isiah Thomas spoke about Lillard’s leadership in Portland. He said,

"“I think he has to get better as a leader…and what I mean…not his physical leadership because we see that on the floor in terms of him being able to shoot the basketball and distribute everything else but can he become the type of vocal leader that inspires his players to get better. can he inspire his teammates become better…that, those type of verbal skills I think Lillard needs to be able to give to his teammates but give it to them in such a way that they can accept it not as him criticizing them, but really inspiring them to do better and to become more. I think that’s where I see he’s missing that in terms of his leadership skills. That’s the next thing he needs to develop with him.”"

While Thomas’s criticism was most likely meant to be productive and not insulting, Dame took the comments to heart.

In his time with Portland, Lillard has done his fair share of leadership off the court. Let’s look at a few of those.

San Diego Trip

The team travelled to San Diego prior to training camp for two consecutive years. It was Dame’s idea after the roster flip of Summer 2015. A group filled with several new faces used the trip to So. Cal to bond and hoop together. Lillard established himself as the team leader both on and off the court.

Hawks game (Dec. 30)

Damian Lillard sat out in Portland’s double-digit loss to Atlanta, ending 2017 in horrible fashion. He still managed to impact the game from the bench though. From screaming offensive sets to individually speaking with younger teammates, Lillard became an extra assistant coach for Terry Stotts. Still not a vocal leader Isiah?

Mentoring Isaiah Briscoe

Isaiah Briscoe was in the running for the Blazers’ final roster spot. Along the way, none other than Damian Lillard took the to-be rookie under his wing. Briscoe spoke about Lillard’s mentorship, saying

"“[Lillard] is always there for me, giving me the confidence, telling me certain things out on the court.” Briscoe explained. “Actually, I spent the whole halftime talking to him. The complete, whole halftime he was just breaking down little things of the game. He don’t only play the game, but he think it too, and I think that’s where I can get a lot better at is thinking the game. He’s been there mentoring me and just helping me out every chance he gets.”"

Unfortunately, Briscoe did not make the cut for Portland. Still, Lillard exercised vocal leadership to improve this youngster’s game.

But what makes Isiah Thomas’s comments worse than they originally were?

Next: New Year's resolutions for the Blazers

After the game, he threw praise on his name-share, Isaiah Thomas. In IT4’s debut, Isiah Thomas said, “…he’s totally committed to winning and giving himself to the organization.”

Mike Richman of the Oregonian sums up the Hall-of-Famer’s contradiction perfectly:

Isiah Thomas doesn’t know it, but Damian Lillard is the leader we want, need and have in Portland, both on and off the court.