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Damian Lillard recovered from playoffs loss, plans to stick around Portland

By Nate Mann

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks with media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks with media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Damian Lillard, the Blazers’ franchise centerpiece, believes he and the team had their best season yet and is prepared to come back from a disappointing playoff finish.

After the birth of his son, Damian Lillard changed. Angry fans blame the new fatherhood lifestyle for distracting him during the playoffs. But in his exit interview, Lillard only discusses the positive changes from Dame Jr.

Normally upset long after a loss, he explains his son’s ability to calm him down. The most recent and extreme example resulted from the Game 4 loss to New Orleans. He went home and spent time with his son watching TV. By the exit interview, Lillard was ready to move on and prepare for the coming season.

Additionally, the Blazers point guard plans to spend most of his summer in Portland. In the past, he’s travelled often and spontaneously. With a family at home, he’ll take this offseason easy in the Pacific Northwest, preparing for the 2018-2019 campaign.

Pleased with organization

As every team hopes to hear from its franchise centerpiece, Damian Lillard complimented the Blazers’ staff members.

Like his teammates, Lillard first touted Coach Terry Stotts. Making the playoffs five straight years even after the roster flip in 2015 shouldn’t go unnoticed.

He also appreciated his midseason talk with Paul Allen and is open to having another one. The media portrayed the original meeting as Dame’s unhappiness with the organization, but he cleared the air again by saying it was merely a discussion about what steps the team should take in order to progress.

Related Story: Damian Lillard meets with Paul Allen about team's direction

Finally, contrary to most Rip City fans, he said Neil Olshey did a “good job.” Dame believes in his supporting cast formed by Olshey. In fact, he thinks that the role players can do what those on the 2015 Golden State Warriors championship team did. Contributing in a multitude of ways to support the stars, in this case Dame and CJ McCollum, create a well-oiled machine capable of advancing deep in the playoffs.

Defensive schemes

The success of New Orleans’ defensive scheme on Damian Lillard is worrisome. What will stop any team from doubling him at half court and forcing others to score?

Dame knows this won’t work for opponents next season. First, he says that most teams don’t have the personnel to contain him in such a manner – Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo are elite defenders at the guard position.

Second, playoff basketball allows for focusing on one team over the span of four to seven games. During the regular season, the next day calls for a new game plan as there’s a new opponent. The Pelicans could develop a defensive scheme tailored to containing Lillard due to the preparation time.

In the regular season, New Orleans didn’t play him differently defensively. Dame recorded 26.5 points and 7.3 assists per game, in line with his season averages.

Next: End of season awards: Blazers edition

Lillard understands why he’s been blamed the most for the playoff sweep. As the team’s top player, he receives the most applause for big wins and the most blame for big losses.

Thanks to Dame Jr., he has recovered from the disappointing finish to 2017-2018. Even though he’s calm, Damian Lillard is certainly ready to make the league pay next year with CJ McCollum by his side.