The point guard position is one of the toughest in the league, with a host of big names stringing together big performances. A superstar, however, believes that only Stephen Curry is better than him… For the others, you’ll have to come back later!
2021-22 will clearly have been a season to forget for Damian Lillard, in all aspects. On the one hand, he only played 29 games this campaign, before ending up on the sidelines due to a serious abdominal injury. Before that, he was already showing great difficulty with an address at half mast (40% shooting, 32% from afar). On the other hand, he has just suffered a big emotional shock with the departure of CJ McCollum, his partner on the back lines since 2013.
Nevertheless, all this should not make forget that the Blazer remains one of the strongest point guards in the league, able to light up almost any defense in full possession of its means. He also made a point of reminding everyone of this, not long ago, during an interview with Draymond Green. In fact, the only one he considers better than him is a Warrior teammate, unsurprisingly:
Damian Lillard raves about Stephen Curry
At my post, Steph Curry is the only person I can agree to come behind. Steph came from a second-rate college. Steph went through injuries. Steph’s teams struggled. Steph is a two-time MVP, three-time champion. I respect Steph. I’m not taking anything away from Steph. I respect him 1000 percent. For others, no chance.
In the ten years that the Portland player has been in the league, he and the Chief have faced each other time and time again and it has frequently resulted in quite a spectacle. Better surrounded, the Dub logically has the advantage in this face-to-face, but the former Weber State is clearly not to be underestimated. In form, he is certainly a top 3 in his position, especially with the decline of Russell Westbrook.
The two men indeed share some similarities, having each evolved in a university far from being among the cadors of the NCAA circuit. They also perfectly represent the current evolution of basketball across the Atlantic, being two strong shooting guards in charge of a team, albeit with different collective results. What does it matter for Dame DOLLA who believes that they have revolutionized the orange ball together, as he confided to Associated Press :
The game has really changed, starting with guys like Steph and myself. When you look at our volume, not just nine, ten, eleven three-pointers per game, but just shots from so much further, after the rebound and in transition. You know, just so many different ways that we do it. The game has come a long way when it comes to shooting.
Damian Lillard still sees himself in the top 2 of the league in his position, despite his difficulties this season. If he can regain his former level once his injury has healed, he will in any case be a real candidate for the silver medal behind Curry.
