Portland Trail Blazers: Anthony Davis lists Damian Lillard as the third “toughest player to guard” in the NBA

On a podcast with Da Windy City’s Mark Carman, Anthony Davis was asked about the toughest players in the NBA to guard. He listed Damian Lillard as third on his list.

From the moment he entered the NBA, Anthony Davis has faced his fair share of brilliant offensive talents. From his debut against Tim Duncan to his first Playoff game against Steph Curry, he’s laced up against Hall of Famers, one another another.

So, there may have been a special level of validation in hearing who Davis believes are the toughest players to guard in today’s NBA. On a podcast with Da Windy City’s Mark Carman, Davis listed three in order: Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Damian Lillard.

One would’ve probably imagined Davis listing more frontcourt challengers. But, he instead brought out three perimeter superstars that have made a living out of carving defensive coverages. Davis, a four-time All-Defensive Team member, had some excellent praise for Lillard during the podcast.

"“… Dame, you know his ability to, as soon as he crosses half court (to) be able to shoot, you know, it’s just tough to guard. Because you don’t know if you want to pick him up further. You cross half court, you’re picking him up, he’s able to go by you, and make the right play. So, I think those three are the toughest, in that order.”"

This is a situation that Portland Trail Blazers fans were all too familiar with during the 2020 Western Conference First Round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis, among other Lakers, blitzed Lillard on pick-and-rolls, and picked him up from 40-feet out, often forcing him to pass to a fellow teammate.

It’s a similar strategy to that of Davis’ series win over Lillard’s Blazers as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, too.

Still, it tells a fundamental story: even if Lillard’s numbers weren’t as gaudy in those aforementioned series, defensive attentiveness and fear of his abilities never did cease. Whether Lillard had 30 points or 15, that same philosophy remained intact.

For Davis to praise Damian Lillard ahead of any other point guard helps to bring things a bit full circle, even if only slightly. The two will always be in a way, attached at the hip, because of their coming into the NBA during the same time in 2012-13.

In 23 regular season games against one another, Lillard’s teams have won 15 of them, with Lillard averaging 25.6 points per game and 6.3 assists on 45-35-88 percentage split lines. Though, Davis’ teams own the nod in the postseason. Regardless, his take holds tons of merit.

The rest of the podcast hits on some takes on LeBron James, support for Russell Westbrook, and even his first stop when he hits his hometown of Chicago. It can be found on Apple Podcasts through that link above.

Anthony Davis is teaming up with Mobil 1 to offer 14 fans the opportunity to win exclusive signed apparel. Fans can enter to win at ProtectYourCourt.com