Damian Lillard struggles big time right now

[yellowknifer]

He's seemed like he's been on the decline the past few years. He never played defense. I'm glad the Raptors didn't trade for him.

[DC_Melo]

So when stotts left Dame decided, you know what, if he's gone I'm just not going to play good?

Is that why he had the best season of his career the year after Stotts left?

I believe he had added Milwaukee to his trade list (if he hadn't, his whole wanting to win a title thing was complete BS, as Giannis is the best player he's ever played with, by far). The aging thing is legit, and his slowing down was masked the last couple years on Portland, where he had free reign to score with 0 expectations. [b]Now he's got expectations for the first time, no more hiding in Portland posting phony scoring numbers.[/b]

I mean… he made the playoffs 8 times as a Blazer, including a WCF run… he didn’t have a great supporting cast but he was the leader of a perennial playoff team. Not sure how that is a “no expectations” kind of role. He led the Blazers as far as Harden ever led any of his teams… and without any superstar teammates.

It’s almost like you have literally no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm no Harden fan, just was an OKC fan back in the day and was predicting he'd be an all star the next season before he was traded (which he was, just not with OKC). In either case, Hardens Houston teams were much more respected than any of Dames Portland teams, and they weren't stacked rosters by any means.

As far as me not knowing what I'm talking about (?) I was making light of the stotts thing, not agreeing with it. I know Dame was able to lead a team to the playoffs perennially, where they weren't a threat at all. Lots of guys do that, they arent superstars, just very good players.There were no expectations in that nobody viewed Portland as a team that could win a title. They played out west, often late at night, and nobody noticed his flaws or hot and cold streaks as much as they are now, as the Bucks are supposed to be title contenders this year swapping jrue for him. I think people look at his scoring numbers from Portland and assumed he'd be a massive upgrade, which hasn't been the case.

The spotlight is on him and the Bucks now, if you dont realize the difference in expectations i guess I cant help you, and I think people will slowly realize he doesn't impact winning all that much, especially at this stage of his career. He really never has, as if he were a true superstar he would've had at least one good postseason run. The time they made the WCF they were easily swept by a warriors team that was without KD. Just not sure why people thought adding him would be a major upgrade for the Bucks. I think they are old, slow, and in trouble.

Difference in expectations? Sure. But that wasn’t what you said. You said he’s never had any expectations, which is demonstrably false.

Harden’s teams were more respected… his backcourt mate was CP3 still playing at a prime level… who did Dame have that ever made the same impact as CP3??

I like how you dismiss his WCF run cuz the warriors didn’t have KD… Dame had freaking CJ McCollum while Curry still had Green and Klay, in addition to deeper role players. Blazer’s third best player was… Al Faruq Amino… maybe?? The Blazers had no business even being in the WCF, yet Dame still led them there.

And if you think Dame doesn’t impact winning, then explain how he has posted 9.0 win shares or more in at least 9 seasons? Or how he had a career .176 w/s per 48? Only game impacting players post win shares that lofty.

It’s like you read what I wrote and doubled down on ignorance.

[Bornstellar]

I think he'll be fine. If he's still stinking it up and the Bucks are hovering around .500 in January, then we have cause to be concerned. Right now it's just growing pains imo. Hard to go from being the main guy with a team/system built around you for a decade to being the Robin to an established homegrown superstar who has already won a chip

[Packbuckman]

Wasn’t there just a posting about Giannis being in decline because of a small sample size
I am more worried about this new coach than our roster I was all for firing Bud but not to hire Griffen as his replacement. Lillard will be fine just like Giannis is now both will be great together come playoffs and that’s all I can ask for as a fan. I would replace the coach soon though doesn’t impress me at all!

[giannis and 1]

Bucks made a risky trade that seems to have back fired. They still need to pay him a ton for 3 more years after this one.
Miami probably happy they got to keep Herro, who is outplaying Dame so far.
Celtics look like the biggest winner out of all of this, getting Jrue really solidified their roster.

I wonder how this turns out in the end, so far this is a disaster for the Bucks and there is a ton of pressure for it to work this year, every year after it just gets less and less likely.

What a nonsense post. Dame is coming off an injury, is adjusting to a new city, and hasn’t found chemistry yet with his new teammates.

I appreciate your perspective, but it's important to look at the situation objectively. The trade the Bucks made was a gamble from the start, with significant financial implications.

While Lillard is undoubtedly a phenomenal player, his current performance might be impacted by adjusting to a new environment and building chemistry with new teammates, but it also isn't anywhere close to where it needs to be.

It's not about dismissing Lillard's potential impact; it's about acknowledging the reality of the situation as it stands. Time is a big factor, and while there's room for improvement and adaptation, the initial assessment of the trade is that it looks not good, to put it mildly.

You can’t make an assessment of a trade 8 games in. Especially when you consider all the facts that I mentioned. And I didn’t even mention that he’s a notoriously slow starter to the regular season.

[giannis and 1]

Bucks made a risky trade that seems to have back fired. They still need to pay him a ton for 3 more years after this one.
Miami probably happy they got to keep Herro, who is outplaying Dame so far.
Celtics look like the biggest winner out of all of this, getting Jrue really solidified their roster.

I wonder how this turns out in the end, so far this is a disaster for the Bucks and there is a ton of pressure for it to work this year, every year after it just gets less and less likely.

What a nonsense post. Dame is coming off an injury, is adjusting to a new city, and hasn’t found chemistry yet with his new teammates.

chemistry alone doesn't explain shooting splits being this bad

still have plenty of time to turn it around and he'll def be better than what he has been so far for the Bucks, but there's more to it than just adjustments and acclimation to the new team

bad chemistry doesn't make a lights out scorer shoot this badly

On top of everything else I mentioned, he’s a notoriously slow starter.

[Lalouie]

in the meantime jrue has the 5th best +/- in the league

all the bucks got lillard for was crunchtime points so it doesn't matter what numbers dame is putting up

[hardenASG13]

Is that why he had the best season of his career the year after Stotts left?



I mean… he made the playoffs 8 times as a Blazer, including a WCF run… he didn’t have a great supporting cast but he was the leader of a perennial playoff team. Not sure how that is a “no expectations” kind of role. He led the Blazers as far as Harden ever led any of his teams… and without any superstar teammates.

It’s almost like you have literally no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm no Harden fan, just was an OKC fan back in the day and was predicting he'd be an all star the next season before he was traded (which he was, just not with OKC). In either case, Hardens Houston teams were much more respected than any of Dames Portland teams, and they weren't stacked rosters by any means.

As far as me not knowing what I'm talking about (?) I was making light of the stotts thing, not agreeing with it. I know Dame was able to lead a team to the playoffs perennially, where they weren't a threat at all. Lots of guys do that, they arent superstars, just very good players.There were no expectations in that nobody viewed Portland as a team that could win a title. They played out west, often late at night, and nobody noticed his flaws or hot and cold streaks as much as they are now, as the Bucks are supposed to be title contenders this year swapping jrue for him. I think people look at his scoring numbers from Portland and assumed he'd be a massive upgrade, which hasn't been the case.

The spotlight is on him and the Bucks now, if you dont realize the difference in expectations i guess I cant help you, and I think people will slowly realize he doesn't impact winning all that much, especially at this stage of his career. He really never has, as if he were a true superstar he would've had at least one good postseason run. The time they made the WCF they were easily swept by a warriors team that was without KD. Just not sure why people thought adding him would be a major upgrade for the Bucks. I think they are old, slow, and in trouble.

Difference in expectations? Sure. But that wasn’t what you said. You said he’s never had any expectations, which is demonstrably false.

Harden’s teams were more respected… his backcourt mate was CP3 still playing at a prime level… who did Dame have that ever made the same pact as CP3??

I like how you dismiss his WCF run cuz the warriors didn’t have KD… Dame had freaking CJ McCollum while Curry still had Green and Klay, in addition to deeper role players. Blazer’s third best player was… Al Faruq Amino… maybe?? The Blazers had no business even being in the WCF, yet Dame still led them there.

And if you think Dame doesn’t impact winning, then explain how he has posted 9.0 win shares or more in at least 9 seasons? Or how he had a career .176 w/s per 48? Only game impacting players post win shares that lofty.

It’s like you read what I wrote and doubled down on ignorance.

I stand by the fact that Portland never had expectations or were watched closely by many. They didn't.

Again, not a Harden fan and don't care to compare them. But Hardens teams were winning at high rate prior to CP3.

Curry made Klay and Green what they are. I think this speaks for itself, because curry is a true superstar. You think Dame replaces Curry on those teams with the same results. Check the warriors roster in that series.

Yes Dame made a WCF. They beat a bad OKC team and then a young Nuggets team. It wasn't a historic feat and wasn't replicated before or after.

I don't care to disect his whole career. Sure hes been a good player. I wouldnt say great. Im sure his impact numbers on portland paint him as that, as he was theie best player!Just think all the hype around him joining Milwaukee was overblown. So far it has been. Maybe he turns it around, I'm sure they'll catch a hot streak. We will see.

[old skool]

Jrue's role on the Celtics isn't primarily about scoring. His eFG is above his career average, you can even expect some decline due to his age so this isn't really sticking out, any drop in his production is relatively minor, around 10%.
He fits there like a glove and KP is posting career high efficiency numbers on offense, all of that translates to team success as well.

In contrast, Dame's situation is quite different. His production has declined by about 25%, that looks way more significant.
This isn't prime LeBron/Dwade/Bosh Heatles team that could afford a long adjustment period. It's an aging Bucks team that needs to figure this out asap.

Milwaukee acquired Lillard to score, but this year he is only scoring 24.4 points per 36, down a whopping 0.6 points per 36 from his career average of 25.0.

As a result of this disastrous decline in Lillard's scoring, Milwaukee has lost 2 of the 8 games Lillard has played, a .750 win percentage. At that rate the Bucks would only win 61 games over a full 82 game season.

[ITYSL]

Jrue's role on the Celtics isn't primarily about scoring. His eFG is above his career average, you can even expect some decline due to his age so this isn't really sticking out, any drop in his production is relatively minor, around 10%.
He fits there like a glove and KP is posting career high efficiency numbers on offense, all of that translates to team success as well.

In contrast, Dame's situation is quite different. His production has declined by about 25%, that looks way more significant.
This isn't prime LeBron/Dwade/Bosh Heatles team that could afford a long adjustment period. It's an aging Bucks team that needs to figure this out asap.

Milwaukee acquired Lillard to score, but this year he is only scoring 24.4 points per 36, down a whopping 0.6 points per 36 from his career average of 25.0.

As a result of this disastrous decline in Lillard's scoring, Milwaukee has lost 2 of the 8 games Lillard has played, a .750 win percentage. At that rate the Bucks would only win 61 games over a full 82 game season.

mic drop

[One Last Shot]

He's seemed like he's been on the decline the past few years. He never played defense. I'm glad the Raptors didn't trade for him.

Why people keep saying this? Dame had his best offensive season(32.2 ppg in 65% TS) last year. He's a bad defender his entire career but so as Stephen Curry that's why you build a team around him to cover his weakness which in theory, the Bucks have the squad to cover Dame defensively. Obviously it's coaching problem and Giannis vouched for Griffin. They should be one of the best team in the NBA right now if Bud still coaching the Bucks.

[XTC]

The real winners have been the Celtics.

Jrue + White is the best defensive backcourt we have seen in a very long time.

[JustBuzzin]

These predictions are crazy we still in November.

See yall boyz when the playoffs start. Dame and Giannis are coasting. These games are the tune up. Then when the playoffs start they will unleash hell on all you doubters.

Go ahead and crown the Celtics regular season champs. We all know Bucks in 6 when the games matter.

[MrBigShot]

Just had the best season of his career, dame has been known to be pretty streaky. Let's see how he looks in like 2-3 months.

[Impuniti]

I'm no Harden fan, just was an OKC fan back in the day and was predicting he'd be an all star the next season before he was traded (which he was, just not with OKC). In either case, Hardens Houston teams were much more respected than any of Dames Portland teams, and they weren't stacked rosters by any means.

As far as me not knowing what I'm talking about (?) I was making light of the stotts thing, not agreeing with it. I know Dame was able to lead a team to the playoffs perennially, where they weren't a threat at all. Lots of guys do that, they arent superstars, just very good players.There were no expectations in that nobody viewed Portland as a team that could win a title. They played out west, often late at night, and nobody noticed his flaws or hot and cold streaks as much as they are now, as the Bucks are supposed to be title contenders this year swapping jrue for him. I think people look at his scoring numbers from Portland and assumed he'd be a massive upgrade, which hasn't been the case.

The spotlight is on him and the Bucks now, if you dont realize the difference in expectations i guess I cant help you, and I think people will slowly realize he doesn't impact winning all that much, especially at this stage of his career. He really never has, as if he were a true superstar he would've had at least one good postseason run. The time they made the WCF they were easily swept by a warriors team that was without KD. Just not sure why people thought adding him would be a major upgrade for the Bucks. I think they are old, slow, and in trouble.

Difference in expectations? Sure. But that wasn’t what you said. You said he’s never had any expectations, which is demonstrably false.

Harden’s teams were more respected… his backcourt mate was CP3 still playing at a prime level… who did Dame have that ever made the same pact as CP3??

I like how you dismiss his WCF run cuz the warriors didn’t have KD… Dame had freaking CJ McCollum while Curry still had Green and Klay, in addition to deeper role players. Blazer’s third best player was… Al Faruq Amino… maybe?? The Blazers had no business even being in the WCF, yet Dame still led them there.

And if you think Dame doesn’t impact winning, then explain how he has posted 9.0 win shares or more in at least 9 seasons? Or how he had a career .176 w/s per 48? Only game impacting players post win shares that lofty.

It’s like you read what I wrote and doubled down on ignorance.

I stand by the fact that Portland never had expectations or were watched closely by many. They didn't.

Again, not a Harden fan and don't care to compare them. But Hardens teams were winning at high rate prior to CP3.

Curry made Klay and Green what they are. I think this speaks for itself, because curry is a true superstar. You think Dame replaces Curry on those teams with the same results. Check the warriors roster in that series.

Yes Dame made a WCF. They beat a bad OKC team and then a young Nuggets team. It wasn't a historic feat and wasn't replicated before or after.

I don't care to disect his whole career. Sure hes been a good player. I wouldnt say great. Im sure his impact numbers on portland paint him as that, as he was theie best player!Just think all the hype around him joining Milwaukee was overblown. So far it has been. Maybe he turns it around, I'm sure they'll catch a hot streak. We will see.

He made a conference finals only because the clear cut two best teams in the whole league were on a different side. Rockets would have annihilated them probably in 5 if they matched up. As for Warriors, we saw what happened to them with KD injured and them leading 3 games by 15+ points.

People need to stop mentioning as some achievement as if the Blazers were the second best team in the West that year.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

As a Blazers fan following Lillard’s time in Milwaukee, I have a strange reaction that is very win win for me. When he does well, I feel happy for him, because he is a good dude overall and I want him to show what he is capable of with a good team around him. But when is doing poorly, there is a sense of relief that feels happy that we traded him before he looked like this for us, and there is a mild sense of bitterness that says “This is what you get, the grass isn’t always greener.” Neither the positive nor negative reactions are very strong though, and I think that is because both reactions are active.

As a Heat fan, I just find the whole thing mildly amusing, because I know if he were doing this in Miami, he and the Heat would be getting torn apart right now, but Milwaukee is flying semi under the radar (although give it 10 more games and the peanut gallery will start to get heard).

I do think he'll still pull it together, but this is what Heat fans were telling Blazers fans the whole time, he's not worth as much as they claim, because declines can come quick and sharp for guards his age. Ironic that both Portland and Miami fans are arguably happier than Bucks fans right now though (with the Celtics being the big winners if anything).

I don't think you will find many Bucks fan not happy with the trade. All the concerns are around AG/Brook right now.

I just don't get the Heat end game right now. What are they happy about? 6-4. I know they won 5 straight but I don't really see a high ceiling on them. You have $150m locked into Butler, Bam, Herro and Duncan for the next 3 years. I thought Dame would've been huge for them in a win-now window and blow it up in 2 years. Now it's probably a 50-win team that is still maxed out salary-wise. Yeah, Dame may end up being washed, but at least you had a chance at a high-ceiling with him. Now I don't know what the Heat does to contend.

I mean Dame was a risky play either way, sure if he falls in your lap for nothing you take him, but he still takes up a massive portion of the cap and is arguably only going to be worth it for the first 2 years if that. If you're the Heat franchise, you're happy that Herro looks good to start the season (unfortunately injured again though) and that JJJ looks like a super solid draft pick.

As for Heat fans, I've seen 3 championships and well over a dozen deep playoff runs, at this point I'm just appreciating it all. Just a south Florida comparison, but the Dolphins are a perfect example of how bad things can get, quickly. Every year Riley/Spo are still here is a blessing, and not to be taken for granted, even if the ceiling is "only" a scrappy underdog playoff run.

[mkot]

Personal take, Dame always strike me as someone who couldn't sustain long playoff run. His performance always fall off quite a bit after the first round and sometimes even start of the playoff because of the load he had during the regular season. He went all the way to the WCF during 2019 yes but CJ was the one killing that younger Jokić & Murray led Denver squad and then got swept by Golden State. He did not play well in this 2 series at all.

If I were the Bucks I wouldn't worry about him right now and load manage him and make sure he is fresh comes playoff time when it matters most. He is clearly in a slump right now, you know he will get out of it so better now than later.

[DC_Melo]

I stand by the fact that Portland never had expectations or were watched closely by many. They didn't.

Again, I’m well aware it’s a different spotlight now, but to say a guy leading a perennial playoff team has no expectations is simply false.

Again, not a Harden fan and don't care to compare them. But Hardens teams were winning at high rate prior to CP3.

Let’s look at those years. Excluding 2012/13 because it was Lillard’s rookie year,

2013/14
Houston: 54-28, 1st round exit (knocked out by Lillard)
Portland: 54-28, 2nd round exit

2014/15
Houston: 56-26, 3rd round exit
Portland: 51-31, 1st round exit

2015/16
Houston: 41-41, 1st round exit
Portland: 44-38, 2nd round exit

2016/2017
Houston: 55-27, 2nd round exit
Portland: 41-41, 1st round exit

Was Lillard really any less impactful than Harden? Harden won a handful more regular season games and exactly one more playoff series. Not to mention Houston had Howard, who was still better than any teammate Lillard had.

Let’s stop with this false narrative that Lillard and the Blazers had zero expectations

Curry made Klay and Green what they are. I think this speaks for itself, because curry is a true superstar. You think Dame replaces Curry on those teams with the same results. Check the warriors roster in that series.

Curry made Klay arguably the second best shooter in NBA history? He made Green a do it all junkyard dog? Stop it.

Curry had/has a very positive impact on his team and teammates, but I absolutely believe that Dame could have still led the Warriors to at least a couple chips with that roster.

Yes Dame made a WCF. They beat a bad OKC team and then a young Nuggets team. It wasn't a historic feat and wasn't replicated before or after.

Well, that bad OKC team had PG13 and Westbrook, and got hyped as contenders all year long. They only got called a bad team after losing to the Blazers.

Lillard had an absolute masterclass game 5, dropping 50 on insane efficiency, including 15 points in the final 5 minutes to erase a double digit lead and hit the walk off game winner at the buzzer… He owned the Thunder so badly that series it led to their dismantling.

I don't care to disect his whole career. Sure hes been a good player. I wouldnt say great. Im sure his impact numbers on portland paint him as that, as he was theie best player!Just think all the hype around him joining Milwaukee was overblown. So far it has been. Maybe he turns it around, I'm sure they'll catch a hot streak. We will see.

I get it. If you dissected his career you might have to confront the uncomfortable truth that Lillard has been a hyper efficient player and consistent net positive on the court.

[DC_Melo]

Personal take, Dame always strike me as someone who couldn't sustain long playoff run. His performance always fall off quite a bit after the first round and sometimes even start of the playoff because of the load he had during the regular season. He went all the way to the WCF during 2019 yes but CJ was the one killing that younger Jokić & Murray led Denver squad and then got swept by Golden State. He did not play well in this 2 series at all.

If I were the Bucks I wouldn't worry about him right now and load manage him and make sure he is fresh comes playoff time when it matters most. He is clearly in a slump right now, you know he will get out of it so better now than later.

I think this is spot on. He really did struggle sustaining long playoff runs in Portland, especially the seasons when he had to play heavy minutes just to get the Blazers into the playoffs.

[Impuniti]

I stand by the fact that Portland never had expectations or were watched closely by many. They didn't.

Again, I’m well aware it’s a different spotlight now, but to say a guy leading a perennial playoff team has no expectations is simply false.

Again, not a Harden fan and don't care to compare them. But Hardens teams were winning at high rate prior to CP3.

Let’s look at those years. Excluding 2012/13 because it was Lillard’s rookie year,

2013/14
Houston: 54-28, 1st round exit (knocked out by Lillard)
Portland: 54-28, 2nd round exit

2014/15
Houston: 56-26, 3rd round exit
Portland: 51-31, 1st round exit

2015/16
Houston: 41-41, 1st round exit
Portland: 44-38, 2nd round exit

2016/2017
Houston: 55-27, 2nd round exit
Portland: 41-41, 1st round exit

Was Lillard really any less impactful than Harden? Harden won a handful more regular season games and exactly one more playoff series. Not to mention Houston had Howard, who was still better than any teammate Lillard had.

Let’s stop with this false narrative that Lillard and the Blazers had zero expectations

Curry made Klay and Green what they are. I think this speaks for itself, because curry is a true superstar. You think Dame replaces Curry on those teams with the same results. Check the warriors roster in that series.

Curry made Klay arguably the second best shooter in NBA history? He made Green a do it all junkyard dog? Stop it.

Curry had/has a very positive impact on his team and teammates, but I absolutely believe that Dame could have still led the Warriors to at least a couple chips with that roster.

Yes Dame made a WCF. They beat a bad OKC team and then a young Nuggets team. It wasn't a historic feat and wasn't replicated before or after.

Well, that bad OKC team had PG13 and Westbrook, and got hyped as contenders all year long. They only got called a bad team after losing to the Blazers.

Lillard had an absolute masterclass game 5, dropping 50 on insane efficiency, including 15 points in the final 5 minutes to erase a double digit lead and hit the walk off game winner at the buzzer… He owned the Thunder so badly that series it led to their dismantling.

I don't care to disect his whole career. Sure hes been a good player. I wouldnt say great. Im sure his impact numbers on portland paint him as that, as he was theie best player!Just think all the hype around him joining Milwaukee was overblown. So far it has been. Maybe he turns it around, I'm sure they'll catch a hot streak. We will see.

I get it. If you dissected his career you might have to confront the uncomfortable truth that Lillard has been a hyper efficient player and consistent net positive on the court.

You're delusional. Dame is a Made in Taiwan Curry. A cheap knock off. Getting swept by the Warriors while CJ was showing out was one of the most pathetic performances by a star I had seen in a long time, almost as bad as his performance vs the Pels.

Nobody with any semblance of common sense considered that OKC team a real contender. We know how Dame plays vs actual contenders in the playoffs, like a top 50 player in the league.