Damian Lillard was the lone member of the Portland Trail Blazers to represent Rip City at 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend after Anfernee Simons had to drop out of the 3-point contest due to injury and Shaedon Sharpe opted out of the dunk contest.
It would have been a far more thrilling few days for Blazers fans had Simons and Sharpe been there to show off but, as usual, Dame was just fine carrying the load and making a splash in the process.
Grading Damian Lillard’s All-Star Weekend Part 1: 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest
Grade: A+
What other grade could you give the winner of the event?
In his third career appearance, Lillard bested Indiana Pacers guards Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in the final round, finishing with a score of 26.
And arguably the most clutch player in the league was clutch in a relatively meaningless event. Why not, right?
Lillard trailed Hield 25-24 with only one ball left, a two-point money ball from the corner. Bang.
https://twitter.com/DimeUPROXX/status/1627135243902717953
The NBA added two “Starry range” balls this year, each worth three points and placed 30 feet away from the basket on either side of the middle rack. Dame of course drilled both.
Two 30-footers and a three at the buzzer to win? Sounds like Dame Time.
Grading Damian Lillard’s All-Star Weekend Part 2: All-Star Game
Grade: B+
After finishing Saturday night on fire, Dame started Sunday night’s All-Star Game ice cold, hitting only 1 of his first 7 shots from deep.
Then he made 7 of his next 13 (54 percent) to finish 8-of-20 from three, totaling 26 points in a little more than 23 minutes off the bench.
And, obviously, he hit the game-winner.
2 of the past 3 All-Star games have ended on a Damian Lillard game-winner ⌚️#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/LaRAVu0YrW
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2023
He also just casually pulled up from the other side of half court like it was a mid-range jumper and connected on the shot so perfectly it was hard to tell if it even went in.
https://twitter.com/ComplexSports/status/1627511418818887681
Boston’s Jayson Tatum was the runaway MVP after scoring a record 55 points, including 10 threes. He made 7 in the third quarter alone as both teams combined to knock down a ridiculous 22 threes in the period.
It wasn’t the All-Star Weekend the Blazers could have had, but Lillard represented Portland well.
Again.
all damian lillard does is be cool and hit game winners
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) February 20, 2023