Damian Lillard spent 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers before moving to Milwaukee to join Giannis Antetokounmpo.
What Could Have Been:
In a recent chat on Jeff Teagueโs podcast, Lillard shared his thoughts on what might have been if Portland hadn’t traded away LaMarcus Aldridge. He believes that keeping Aldridge could have led the team to a championship.
Back in 2015, Aldridge left Portland for the Spurs, and since then, the closest Lillard got to a title was reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2019, where they lost to the Warriors.
What could have been.
โ Blazer’s Edge (@blazersedge)
Lillard said on the podcast that if Aldridge had stayed in Portland, they would have won at least one title by now. “I wouldโve come into my own,” he said. “But he was that good.”
The Impact of LaMarcus Aldridge:
Lillard explained how much easier it was playing alongside Aldridge. Defenses focused so much on him that it opened up space for Lillard to make shots, especially during pick-and-roll plays. “He made every jumper,” Lillard reminisced.
When teams tried to double-team Aldridge, it left Lillard wide open. He recalled starting every game of his rookie year with an elbow pull-up jumper because defenses were always trying to get back to Aldridge.
Fans often wonder what could’ve happened if key players stayed together longer.
Lillard’s New Shoe Release:
Earlier this week, Lillard introduced his latest shoe model: Dame 9. “Whether youโre making headlines or just pulling up in style,” he said, “this shoe is built for endurance.” He dedicated this new release to those who grind hard and dream big: โItโs always Dame Time.โ
Lillardโs Top Five Favorite Players:
During another part of Jeff Teagueโs podcast, Lillard listed his current top five favorite NBA players. Itโs refreshing when stars openly talk about who they admire without ego getting in the way.
“Right now imma go Anthony Edwards,” he started. Despite some controversies around Ja Morant recently, he’s still on Dame’s list because of his undeniable talent and energy.
Rounding out his list were three European stars: Luka Doncic (Luka), Nikola Jokic (Joker), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Giannis). This shows how much international talent has grown in the NBA
“So imma go Anthony Edwards,” he continued. “Ja Morant… Luka [Doncic], Joker [Nikola Jokic], and Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Thatโs my five right now.”
