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Damian Lillard is using Dirk Nowitzki as a model for how patiently remaining with a single franchise pays off in a way that's different than chasing a title elsewhere.

Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to a title in 2011 after it had looked as though their period of contention had closed. Nowitzki retired at the end of the 18-19 season after 21 seasons with the Mavericks.

"He just stayed with it," Lillard said. "I respect what Dirk did. Like, I see that and I'm like, 'It'll be worth it. I know it was worth it for him,' you know what I'm saying? Like, he'll be forever, ever, ever respected in Dallas and in the league. So that's like what I see from myself."

Lillard signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers this past offseason.

Via Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Dirk was higher up the food chain than Dame is now when he won in 2011.

Look, I respect Dame wants to play his whole career in one spot. But the NBA media is always pushing narratives, and Dame's right now is why doesn't he want to win a title. And there is something to that even though POR got a surprise WCF berth last year. He's not likely to win a ring there.

Respect to Damian Lillard. Wish more NBA players were like him.

the_process wrote:Dirk was higher up the food chain than Dame is now when he won in 2011.

Look, I respect Dame wants to play his whole career in one spot. But the NBA media is always pushing narratives, and Dame's right now is why doesn't he want to win a title. And there is something to that even though POR got a surprise WCF berth last year. He's not likely to win a ring there.

interesting point - it seems like not along when Dirk was a rookie. The narratives in the league and in sports journalism have shifted towards greater polarization and spin doctoring. "Why doesn't Dame want to play for a contender" sounds like an innocuous but likely headline in the years to come, especially if he continues to be a Top 20 player in the NBA. Social media and forms of tracking/stalking a player have shifted. It'll be interesting to see what - if any - impact that this has on his career in the years to come. Players are certainly under more of a critical microscope today than they ever were back in the late 90s and early 2000s.

We'll see how this whole thing plays out, but I would bet against him playing his entire career in Portland.

Gotta love that attitude, and respect his loyalty.

the_process wrote:Dirk was higher up the food chain than Dame is now when he won in 2011.

Look, I respect Dame wants to play his whole career in one spot. But the NBA media is always pushing narratives, and Dame's right now is why doesn't he want to win a title. And there is something to that even though POR got a surprise WCF berth last year. He's not likely to win a ring there.

What? I don't see it that way at all. He wants to play in one place, stay loyal to a franchise that believes in him, that's respectable. He's not about taking the easy way out like so many superstars are these days.

That's respectable af. Good for Dame.

The league needs more guys with his mindset to survive healthily across the board.

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4 years 196 million... why is reporting so hard for real gm?

he gone

Direct shot at doo doo and the scrubs. Nice Lillard I agree. Cupcake lol.

Dirk took almost 100m in paycuts starting in 2010. Lillard took the supermax this summer.

Time to seperate paycut loyalty and supermax loyalty.

You know what I’m saying? Idk why but this statement kinda seems redundant especially in writing an article

circa70 wrote:he gone

He’s inked for 5 years with a 6 year to after his extension last summer. Can’t see him going anywhere unless Portland deals him

Until they decide to trade him... down the line.

OMG TAMPERING! FINE LILLARD AND THE BLAZERS!!!!

He going to the Warriors bro.

Swish1906 wrote:Dirk took almost 100m in paycuts starting in 2010. Lillard took the supermax this summer.

Time to seperate paycut loyalty and supermax loyalty.

Brutal, but true.

Lillard signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension

The Blazers wish it was a 4-year $96M extension!

Dame got game. On and off the court he reps as that dude. Love the faith both sides have in each other. They all trying for that chip. It's not far off....