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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 reasons why Damian Lillard deserves All-NBA nod

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 01: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during pregame against the Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on April 1, 2018 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 Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 01: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during pregame against the Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on April 1, 2018 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 Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Historic efficiency in the 2019/20 season

Breaking down Dame’s fantastic 2019/20 season, a few things stand out.

It is quite rare for a player to improve his game at age 29. Dame had career highs from both two and three-point range while also increasing his volume.

Three-point percentage – 39.3 percent

Two-point percentage – 52.3 percent

That he was able to increase his efficiency while increasing his volume, on a team with so many injuries, is something to behold.

Having career highs across the board doesn’t make you an All-NBA player, but having some of the best efficiency in the league does.

Of the 12 qualified players who scored 25 points a game in the 2019/20 NBA season, Dame has the second-highest efficiency at true shooting of 62.0 percent. He is only slightly behind James Harden, who has 62.1 percent.

Efficiency is also essential when it comes to assisting others. Dame has another career-high in assists this season at eight a game. But, importantly, he was able to do this while achieving his second-lowest turnover percentage.

Another vital statistic is the amount of offense Lillard has generated for himself. Cleaning the glass shows how often his teammates assisted him on made baskets.

Dame, amazingly, only had 17 percent of his shots assisted by teammates. This is the second least in the whole league, again only behind James Harden. Effectively, this means Dame created 83 percent of his own shots. Amazing.

Dame’s overall level of efficiency, combined with his shot volume and offensive load, means he is one of, if not the best offensive player in the game right now.