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Damian Lillard is not the playoff choker everyone thinks he is

By Nate Mann

PORTLAND, OR - MAY 2: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers (L) celebrates with Robin Lopez #42 of the Portland Trail Blazers after Lilliard hit a last second shot to win the game in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 2, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 2: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers (L) celebrates with Robin Lopez #42 of the Portland Trail Blazers after Lilliard hit a last second shot to win the game in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 2, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 29: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates with Mason Plumlee #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Allen Crabbe #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2016 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 29: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates with Mason Plumlee #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Allen Crabbe #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2016 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Damian Lillard 2015-2016 playoffs

Two years ago marked the Blazers most recent trip to the Western Conference Semifinals. Damian Lillard led the team past the Los Angeles Clippers, only to be beaten by the record-setting Golden State Warriors.

Blazers vs. Clippers

Chris Paul is one of the best defensive point guards in the league. Over his accomplished career, he’s been named to nine All-Defensive teams, including First Team recognition in 2015-2016.

Nonetheless, Lillard averaged 22.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.8 three-pointers per game in the playoff series versus LAC. Paul didn’t play in the final two games, so Lillard’s averages with Paul as his primary defender were: 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 three-pointers.

The Blazers benefitted from his and Blake Griffin‘s injuries, winning four straight games after dropping the first two to advance

Blazers vs. Warriors

After taking advantage of a crippled Clippers team, the Blazers moved on to face the Warriors. They were quickly defeated in five games, but not before Lillard made his mark on the stat sheet.

In four matchups against the fourth ranked defense, he posted 31.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 5.0 three-pointers per game. Comparatively, Steph Curry (in the two games he played) averaged 34.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 5.0 three-pointers per game.

That season, Curry won the first ever unanimous MVP award. He and the Warriors broke all sorts of records on the way to their historic finals defeat. For a younger Lillard to go toe-to-toe with Curry in his best season ever is remarkable.