I was such a huge fan of the Dame era in Portland; him going back feels like a big win. I respect pro athletes’ relentless desire to win a title, and *I’m in no way saying that shouldn’t be the goal* BUT pretending that is the only thing is just flat-out ignoring part of the experience. When you catch the special lightning in a bottle that guys like Steph, Kobe, Dame have/had with their team’s fans, it’s not nothing. In fact, once you have it, it may end up being the most important thing of all.
Never quit on Portland.
Never gave up on Portland.
Never wanted to leave Portland.
The most loyal superstar of all-time.
And now Dame is coming back home.
Damian Lillard. Blazers Legend.
BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old.
BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old.
For the “Giannis and Dame were a failed duo” crowd, I’ll just leave this here once more:
They were the highest scoring duo in the league both years they played together.
Became the first duo in NBA history to each record 24+ PPG, 4+ RPG, and 6+ APG in back-to-back seasons. No one had ever done it before. Not Kobe-Shaq, not Jordan-Pippen, not Stockton-Malone, not Magic-Kareem, not Wade-LeBron.
Most games each recording 25+ PTS and 10+ AST by any duo in NBA history.
A failure? On the offensive end especially, these guys were as dominant together as they come. Injuries, coaching, and poor roster construction around them were the ultimate downfall. They played less than 30 minutes together in the playoffs after everything, where Dame sacrificed his body to give them a chance, and devastatingly got hurt further in the process.
These guys were awesome as a unit. They loved each other, as teammates, and as friends. Both adapted their games to best fit the other. Sick and tired of all the discourse suggesting otherwise.
The end has been abrupt and shocking, but to know Dame is content with it all is a consolation.
Be glad we got to experience 0 and 34 in action, even if the result was less than desired.
Dame has case for most unlucky superstar. LA left and reset the team, whole starting line up gone.
Builds from the ground up even after losing the whole team he carried a brand new lineup as a 3rd year player to the 5th seed in a competitive west. (Projected 14th)
Finally gets a decent trade in Nurkic 2017, Blazers go 13-3 and Dame looks like an MVP caliber player… Nurk breaks his leg…
Dame carried a lineup of CJ, Aminu, Harkless and Kanter to the WCF and lost to the much better and established team in the Warriors. He’s judged for never winning… (maybe bron wins with that lineup, no one else)
Gets to Milwaukee and GA is out first year for playoffs and now Dames own injury…
Wish Dame a little luck for the ending chapter of his career because what did he do to deserve this…
I can’t breathe. My chest hurts. In a world filled with sadness, depression, dark times, trials and difficulties, you were always light. You were always a distraction, an escape. Basketball meant something different. This is a different kind of pain. Where do I go from here, Dame
I know I'm going to be hurting for my NBA in the coming days and probably even longer... I wish you the best possible recovery.🙏🙏
All the luv ❤️❤️ Dame ⌚️
Devin Booker stopped his car to support a lemonade stand in Arizona 🧡
The kids reaction when he realized it was Book 🥹
(via almostthererescue/IG, @DevinBook) https://t.co/ixVFIG3h93
This Joe Ingles story 🥹
Joe's wife, Renae, and their 3 kids are in town. Last week, their son Jacob, who is autistic, made it through his first ever NBA game in-arena. But Joe didn't play...
Tonight, Chris Finch started Ingles to make sure Jacob could see his dad play 🫶