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Damian Lillard’s message to Portland Trail Blazers teammates on birthday

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard had a not suitable for work message for his teammates as they celebrated his 30th birthday in the NBA bubble.

The NBA’s bubble in Orlando has already provided constant entertainment for fans. Photos emerged recently of Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum posing in front of a decorated hotel door. The door of teammate Damian Lillard.

https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum/status/1283426592946106371

This was the first time Lillard had celebrated his birthday away from his family. But he celebrated it in style with his Blazers family. With a custom basketball 30th birthday cake, Dame had some choice words for his teammates before blowing out the candles.

We all know how competitive Dame is, so his choice of words should be no surprise.

"My only ask as a birthday gift is let’s not waste our f**king time out here!“The easy thing to do would be to come here and make up the excuse that we haven’t played in months, guys haven’t played and were rusty, we weren’t comfortable, not used to playing at this time. It’s a lot of ways out the back door,” Lillard said Thursday, explaining his message. “I just wanted to make sure we understood this is a great opportunity for us to come out and make a push for the playoffs. Everybody’s basically starting from scratch"

Dame doesn’t mince his words. Though they are 3.5 games out of the playoffs, he and McCollum are quietly confident in their ability to do what’s required and activate a two-game play-in tournament against their West rivals, the Memphis Grizzlies.

No other team has two starters returning from injury. Blazer General Manager Neil Olshey was even quoted at the All-star break saying that the return of Jusuf Nurkic would have been a stronger move than any of the trades other teams made in that period.

The Blazers have the personnel to win and make the playoffs. But Dame needs the rest of the squad to play to its potential. He has had his best-ever season, probably resulting in another All-NBA nod and top 10 MVP finish, he just needs his teammates to have an eight-game push where they can upset more fancied playoff opponents.

The best birthday present for Dame would be the Blazers dominating these eight games, then besting the Grizzlies in two games to take the eight-seed.

Dame is the best leader in the NBA. We have confidence that he can lead this team to the playoffs.

Next. Portland Trail Blazers: 3 best players to sign to the final two roster spots. dark