Damian Lillard turns 33 today. To get out of the heavy news around her trade, we still wanted to remind, for the occasion, why we loved “Lady” beyond her prowess on the ground. We therefore offer you this article dating from March 2021, just after a 50-point card and 10 assists against the Pelicans.
Do you see those post-match interviews, often bland and full of banalities that are imposed on players who have just made insane physical and mental efforts? Even those during which some respond with three or four words to show their dissatisfaction after a question they don’t like or a somewhat easy provocation like Shaquille O’Neal with Donovan Mitchell… And then there’s Damian Lillard. The guy is coming off an absolutely fantastic game where he slammed 50 points and 10 assists while erasing 17 points from a deficit against the Pelicans, but finds a way to deliver the most lucid and interesting post-game interview in a long time .
We wanted to translate Dame’s declarations for you, because for each of the questions asked by Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker or Dwyane Wade, present on the set of TNT, came an incredibly detailed, introspective and instructive response on the mode of operation of one of the most emblematic players of his generation in the NBA. Quite simply.
Shaq first asked him how one became such a lethal shooter as him.
“I just devoted a lot of my time to it. There are very great shooters in the NBA. Obviously we immediately think of Stephen Curry, who is the best in history. Steph would tell you the same thing. It’s a story of repetition. Whether there are people to see you or not, whether you are congratulated for it or not, you have to put in the time and do it in replicating match conditions. You have to do it with concentration and with the requirement to hold to a certain standard that you impose on yourself.
It could be to always finish your workout by scoring 10 consecutive 3-pointers from each spot. Even if you’re tired and probably don’t feel like doing it. By repeating these things over and over again over the years, you become stronger technically, but even stronger mentally. You become more confident because you’ve done it so often and you’ve done it when you were tired and didn’t feel like it. In a match situation, whether it’s the last minute, the first, the second or the third quarter, a difficult shot, a simple shot, you have the confidence to score.
I think that’s the most important thing for a shooter. When you know, deep in your heart, that you didn’t cheat because you worked to get there, you deserve to score those hoops. So we expect this result.”
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When the time comes, I tell myself that if it doesn’t end well, I’m ready to take responsibility for it.
Candace Parker then asked him to describe how he managed to be so strong in money time.
“I wouldn’t say the game slows down. Once the moment comes, most people get tense. I wouldn’t say they’re nervous, but they’re more tense and don’t want to commit any trouble. “Mistakes, missing a shot. It’s at times like this that I’m more aggressive. I look for those openings, I want to exploit them. Instead of stepping back, I step forward. Then a other, to impose myself rather than playing it safe or thinking about what could go wrong.
When the time comes, I tell myself that if it doesn’t end well, I’m ready to take responsibility and listen to what everyone has to say about it. If things go well, I just tell myself that we have to be able to do the same thing again next time”.
Then Dwyane Wade wondered how he managed to perform so well while managing notoriety, his other projects and his family life.
“Everything you talked about, D-Wade, isn’t possible without work. I wasn’t a hot player in high school or college. I had to work behind the scenes and carve my way. I had no certainty that the work I was doing would earn me compliments or pay off one day. Not being known and having no light on me, I know very well what it is.
I also wanted to be seen and have a scholarship for a big university. I can’t forget all the steps I had to go through to get here. Even though I have a family, I’m in a lot of commercials, I’ll never forget everything that made this possible. Work, discipline, humility, compassion… All these things that characterize me as an individual have allowed me to get there. If I start to walk away from those things, I’m doing my family and loved ones a disservice.
I’m sticking with that and hope good things continue to come out of it. Over time, I got better at that too. I put more discipline, more rigor and reflection in my work. And I love my loved ones a little harder too.”
It’s often said to take advantage of LeBron James’ greatness while he’s around. But it also means for players as unique and fascinating as Damian Lillard.
Damian Lillard has been through far too much drama in recent months
2023-07-15 08:00:00
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