Despite the rumors about his possible departure and many urging him to change teams in order to fight for a ring, Damian Lillard has recently renewed his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. In his first statements after the news, the base has assured that the opportunity to fight (and potentially win) a championship with those from Oregon is much more stimulating than doing it in another place, and that, although he knows that it is more complicated, he wants try to succeed in what has been his team since he came to the league.
“I know myself better than anyone, and I know how I would feel if I did something that went against who I am even if I ended up winning with it,” he said. “I would obviously be happy, because I don’t think there is anyone who is not happy to be champion, but it would not be as satisfying as I would like if I did it in another team.”
“This has always been my way of thinking about my future and it still is,” he continued. “In the end, things will work out or they won’t work out, but I’m not going to give up this battle we’re fighting even though we need 10 miracles to win it. I just want to try, and if we don’t get it in the end, I can live with it.”
The point guard also acknowledged that he is proud to have become a kind of paradigm player who remains faithful to the franchise that selected him in the draft even if that may be detrimental to his ability to achieve sporting success. According to him, there is an extra value in trying to take the team as far as possible, and he regrets that the tendency of the big stars these days is to change the air with some frequency.
“I am proud to be that player. Something that I miss in our league is the desire to fight, the passion, the character, and being proud not only of the name on your back but also of the one on your chest. I think the way I’ve upheld these principles shows that there’s a value in it, in being committed and having your heart and mind in the right place.”
(Cover photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
