J. R. Smith: Lillard will rot in Portland

Damians Lillards | Photo: Soobum Im/Getty Images

Former basketball player J. In a conversation with another former athlete Gilbert Arenas on the “fubo Sports” channel, R. Smit admitted that Damian Lillard, the leader of the Portland “Trail Blazers” team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), does not see a place in the team.

Lillard was selected with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and has played there his entire career. His success has been great – he is a six-time participant in the All-Star Game, five times he was included in the NBA’s symbolic teams, and last year in Tokyo he triumphed in the Olympic Games as part of the USA team.

However, the performance of the Trail Blazers has not always been so successful. The club has advanced beyond the first round of the play-offs three times in Lillard’s career. Smith saw that as a reason why the 32-year-old linebacker should leave Portland. “I like Dame, I like his game, I respect what he’s doing, but at the same time, you just rot in Portland. I would try to win in his place,” said the 2016 and 2020 NBA champion.

He was echoed by Arenas, who suggested that his career rating will probably suffer after his career is over because of the title he hasn’t won. At the beginning of the month, however, Lillard extended his contract with the Trail Blazers, thereby dispelling rumors of his departure.