Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard reaches another milestone: his 30th birthday. He lives up to the often dubbed ”Dirty 30” on and off the court.
Damian Lillard, you are dirty.
Your crossover is nasty. Dunking ability, grotesque. And your long-range game? Filthy.
That’s on the court. Off the court, you are even fouler.
Your rap talent is sickening. You weave together words in a fierce manner to produce monstrous tracks. With a flow so vicious, us laymen are often left stupefied. Wondering how someone can be so talented in the rap game and ball game and be so humble.
You are a role model. A leader. An example of gratefulness and authenticity.
How can a man with a game so mean and a flow so obscene be so generous to his community and compassionate to his teammates?
Your team has described you as rare, caring, unselfish and genuine.
Again, stupefied.
Puzzled we are by your existence but nevertheless thankful.
Appreciative that you are who you are and that you do what you do so ferociously.
July 15 is your “Dirty 30”. “Dirty” is befitting of your side-step shot and your bars but not of you as a man.
You challenge the status quo and live as an example that one can simultaneously be elite as an athlete, artist, and person.
As a star that is certain to be showered with praise and acclaim on your day, accept these words as a small token of appreciation and gratitude.
Thank you for being one of my idols. After Kobe retired, I knew of only one person I wanted to follow.
In your rookie year, the late Black Mamba recognized your greatness and deemed you as “serious”.
Rip City’s love for you is serious. You are the heart of Portland. Blazers fans are bewitched by their leading man who they’ve watched grow from a talented player to a star.
My reverence for you is serious. I’ve bought and worn only one jersey.
I sport your name and number with pride. Not for the sake of style but to represent a real one.
You are the truth, Dame.
So, here’s to you on your born day. Roses for the king of the Rose Garden, who is one of the most savage, cold-blooded, malicious hoopers and spitters in each of today’s respective games.