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Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard is being asked to do too much heavy lifting

By Stevie Cozens

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 05: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 05, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 05: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 05, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Trail Blazers are struggling this season, let’s not beat around the bush. Does this weigh on Damian Lillard long-term though?

It’s not that Damian Lillard can’t put this team on his back. The issue this season is that both him and CJ McCollum are being asked to do far too much heavy lifting for this Trail Blazers team. A lack of personnel on both ends means that the star guard trio are not just worn down, but they may also be fed up.

At the moment, the extra burden that Lillard carries hasn’t impacted his efficiency. But the minute it starts to, the coaching and front office staff should be very concerned.

Lillard is actually having one of his best seasons in the NBA. But the alarming stat that should concern both fans and the team is Lillard having to create almost 80 percent of his own shots, up from 54 percent last year.

Lillard can carry this team with McCollum. They’ve done it for a while. But when they are so far under .500 and falling out of the playoff race my go-to worry is that Lillard may want out. There is no proof of this luckily, but the concern is still there.

Internally, Blazers top-brass must be preparing for some sort of trade. Lillard and McCollum along with the rest of the squad, look tired. A trade would reinvigorate this team and take some of the load off Lillard’s shoulders.

We aren’t suggesting that Lillard is going anywhere, but let’s keep our main guy happy. Plenty of players down the years have looked like lifers on one team and city then up and left when things got really bad.

The loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves highlighted that this team has fallen a long way. Injuries during the game didn’t help though. This team is injured, tired and fed up.

Logical thinking will tell you that Neil Olshey hasn’t pulled the trigger on a trade yet because Jusuf Nurkic isn’t back. Nurkic returns around the deadline which then means they have one more healthy body and can execute a master plan based around trading Hassan Whiteside and Kent Bazemore.

Next. Three scenarios for the Trail Blazers at the trade deadline. dark

Lillard seems like a great team guy, maybe he’s in the loop on potential moves. But for the sake of his health and sanity lets hope that any moves aren’t too far away.

Lillard is a top ten to fifteen player in the NBA. With McCollum in tow they are the best back-court in the league. But it’s no fun seeing them struggle on a nightly basis because of the lack of defense and lack of support on the offensive end.

Neil, we need moves in the next few weeks. For the fans, and Damian Lillard’s sake, please get it done.