Damian Lillard: 'I'm Not Willing to Sell Myself Out' for Championships By JENNA WEST February 19, 2019 Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is still working to win his first NBA championship but says it isn't the only thing he's chasing.
Lillard spoke to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes on the Posted Up podcast and explained what he doesn't want to give up to win a title.
"I do want to win a championship but it’s other stuff that means more to me," Lillard said. "It’s almost like I’m not willing to sell myself out for that."
During Lillard's seven-year career with Portland, the team has been to the playoffs five consecutive years but never advanced past the second round. The Golden State Warriors have dominated during the superteam era and won championships during three of those five years.
Many players have moved throughout their career in an attempt to join teams that apeared primed to win a title. It has worked out for some like Kevin Durant, who won the NBA title in his first two seasons with the Warriors. However, Lillard knows there's more than a championship at stake with his career moves.
"When my career is over and I'm gonna know the relationships that I'm gonna have. I am going to know the people who knew I was solid with them regardless of if I was at the top or if I control it," Lillard said. "All of this stuff. That I did it the right way and I took people's situations and their families and what could be into consideration before I just made a decision based off, 'All right, this is what would be best for me. This is what people want to see me do.' "
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
5. "RE: Dame Dollar says he's not selling out..." In response to Reply # 0
Portland is such a great basketball town too…I really, really would love to see Dame paired with another superstar. Hasn't happened and probably won't but it would be dope.
6. "and really he's right, although "ring-chasing" for guys in their prime....." In response to Reply # 0
has become popular its not a guarantee of anything.
The Warriors had the perfect situation, they drafted 3 all-stars that didn't become all-stars right away so they were on below market contracts. That allowed them to sign KD.
Philly almost had a similar situation with Embiid, Simmons and possible Fultz but Fultz didn't work out and they couldn't sign that megastar like Bron but Bron and Simmons skillsets are kind of redundant so that may have not been a great fit anyway.
All these other stars that talk about moving and "teaming up" probably won't result in titles.
If you're in a good organization within a community that you've connected with it makes sense to stay put and build your own personal legacy.
10. "RE: see how sanctimonious he is after 4 more seasons of 1st round sweeps" In response to Reply # 8
Nothing sanctimonious about it at all. He said what he felt about it, for him, and many of his reasons are pragmatic; relationships and the fact that winning elsewhere is not guaranteed.
When those other things come to pass, he will probably thank Portland for his years there and keep it moving. He may FEEL all types of ways- who wouldn't-but he has really been the same guy all along. I have no reason to think he will suddenly take to social media and begin a scorched earth campaign against the Blazers, or anyone really.
12. "I feel like i've fallen for this with other players before" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Feb-21-19 02:32 PM by GOMEZ
it's cool and all, but I'm not gonna single him out as the shining example for how basketball players should go about their business. Player perception changes quickly. All it takes is one blowout w/ownership over a coaching hire or a fucked up free agency period by the front office and things look way different. Shit, Dame could get traded.
In the 'player empowerment era' players get to do what makes them happy. If Dame wants to stay put and try and grow in Portland, more power to him. There's a certain honor to it, but I wouldn't base any significant portion of my opinion of Dame to this particular issue.
In a generation of swine, the one-eyed pig is king. -Hunter S. Thompson
13. "RE: I feel like i've fallen for this with other players before" In response to Reply # 12
>In the 'player empowerment era' players get to do what makes >them happy. If Dame wants to stay put and try and grow in >Portland, more power to him. There's a certain honor to it, >but I wouldn't base any significant portion of my opinion of >Dame to this particular issue.
Other than Bron and KD which was a perfect situation who has it really worked out for? Its still a crapshoot either way lol
14. "RE: I feel like i've fallen for this with other players before" In response to Reply # 12
Players should do what they want, of course.
I think Dame is talking about him, and his current situation. Of course he didn't guarantee he will finish his career in PDX, and he definitely could be traded!
All he said was he is not really interested in trying to base his life decisions off the idea of ring chasing.
So this is an example of Dame doing what HE wants. And that's cool.
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