So close, but no cigar. Damian Lillard has made huge strides in his game and finally put the world on notice with his dominance in last year’s NBA Playoffs. Gone are the days of Lillard being snubbed from All-Star games and All-NBA teams, he’s here to stay.
Last season Lillard averaged 25.8 points, 6.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game en route to his fourth All-Star and All-NBA selection. He also posted the second highest marks in Win Shares, VoRP and true shooting percentage of his career. This all culminated in an impressive playoff push that brought the Portland Trail Blazers back to the Western Conference Finals for the first time this century.
Lillard put the team on his back in the playoffs by playing 40 minutes per game while shooting 37.3 percent from deep on just shy of ten attempts per game. His limitless range and clutch shooting helped dispel many of his doubters after 2018’s four-game sweep at the hands of Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Now locked into a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for the next six years at a total of $257 million, he can comfortably assume the role as face of the franchise and generational icon for Portland without having to worry about his future or financial security.
If there was ever a time for Lillard to assume the mantle as best point guard in the league, this would be it. A 2018 regular season performance from Lillard coupled with his 2019 postseason production is an MVP caliber player. With Golden State in disarray due to injury and Draymond Green busy thinking about his upcoming free agent decision, now may be the perfect time for Lillard to take the throne atop the league’s best.