NBA — Officially eliminated from the playoff race, the Blazers have decided to put aside their All-Star leader until the end of the season.
The Lakers’ win at Wolves had a direct impact on the Blazers, because they will no longer be able to access the playoffs. A scenario far from surprising, however, since the Oregon franchise had already decided earlier in the week to do without Damian Lillard (32.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds) until the end of the season.
A choice on which the All-Star leader also wanted to justify himself.
« I wouldn’t say it’s my decision “, he explains as well. ” Maybe the team is trying to protect me. As soon as I’ve had any type of injury like chafing or something that got worse, it’s come from heavy workload, stress, going on the floor and to try to outdo myself. So I would just say there is something behind it and they are also trying to protect me. »
In fact, if the leaders of Portland wanted to dismiss Damian Lillard, it is mainly because they want to lose as many games as possible by the end of the season, in the hope of obtaining a high-placed draft round next May.
Already two years without playoffs, see you soon 33…
But it also means that it’s now been two years in a row without a playoff for the Blazers, while “Dame” never ceases to proclaim in the press her love for her lifelong franchise and her desire to win on her terms. Even if it means ending her career without a ring…
It must be said that at almost 33 years old, time is obviously playing against Damian Lillard, who is more aware of it than anyone, and we really wonder if it is in “Rip City” that he will be able, one day , aim for the heights. Nevertheless, despite this prospect of an empty list of titles, the interested party wished to recall how he envisaged the future.
« I just want to do things by and for myself “, adds the leader. ” I have my point of view, my position on what I want to see happen. But in this business, you never know [de quoi est fait l’avenir]. »
Words which should not however prevent certain rival teams from returning to the charge this summer and from finding out about the situation of Damian Lillard…
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | BY | 82 | 39 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 84.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2013-14 | BY | 82 | 36 | 42.4 | 39.4 | 87.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 20.7 |
| 2014-15 | BY | 82 | 36 | 43.4 | 34.3 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 21.0 |
| 2015-16 | BY | 75 | 36 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.1 |
| 2016-17 | BY | 75 | 36 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 27.0 |
| 2017-18 | BY | 73 | 37 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 91.6 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | BY | 80 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 91.2 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 25.8 |
| 2019-20 | BY | 66 | 38 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | BY | 67 | 36 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 92.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 28.8 |
| 2021-22 | BY | 29 | 36 | 40.2 | 32.4 | 87.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 24.0 |
| 2022-23 | BY | 58 | 36 | 46.3 | 37.1 | 91.4 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 32.2 |
| Total | 769 | 36 | 43.9 | 37.2 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 25.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
