Damian Lillard: Revealing His 'Welcome To The NBA' Moment

Damian Lillard recalls his 'Welcome to the NBA' moment against Goran Dragic in the preseason as a rookie.

Damian Lillard, the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, recently shared his 'Welcome to the NBA' moment, which occurred during the preseason of his rookie year. Lillard faced off against Goran Dragic, the starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns at the time. Lillard described Dragic's dominance over him, hitting pull-up jumpers, driving to the basket, and causing him to foul.

This experience left Lillard worried about how he would fare against the league's top guards, such as Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Tony Parker. He realized that the NBA would be much more challenging than he initially anticipated. Despite Dragic's performance not being particularly outstanding in that game, Lillard acknowledged the difficulties he faced and recognized Dragic's talent.

Lillard also mentioned another significant 'Welcome to the NBA' moment in his first-ever NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers, who had notable players like Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Despite the pressure, Lillard performed admirably, scoring 23 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 11 assists, and recording a steal to secure the victory.

Lillard's rookie season showcased his exceptional skills and proved that he deserved to be chosen higher in the draft. He averaged impressive statistics of 19.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game, earning him the title of Rookie of the Year. His unanimous selection for the award, receiving all 121 first-place votes, placed him in an elite group of players, including Ralph Samson, David Robinson, and Blake Griffin.

As Lillard progressed in his career, he quickly established himself as one of the league's premier point guards. In his second season, he became an All-Star, and over time, he developed the belief that he is the best point guard in the NBA. Lillard even claimed to be superior to Stephen Curry, a highly regarded player in the same position. His outstanding performances in the 2022-23 season, averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, support his claim.

However, Lillard's status as the best point guard in the NBA is still up for debate. Many believe that he needs to win a championship to solidify his position. This has led to ongoing speculation about his future with the Portland Trail Blazers, as he submitted a trade request nearly three months ago. Despite the trade rumors, Lillard remains with the team, and the uncertainty surrounding his situation leaves everyone wondering what will happen next.

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