Shams: Damian Lillard Returning to the Blazers on a 3-yr/$42M Deal

[HMFFL]

As an outsider, I like it because I perceive it to be special, but if I was a Blazer fan, I would hate it.

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

[azcatz11]

As an outsider, I like it because I perceive it to be special, but if I was a Blazer fan, I would hate it.

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend a in expectation.

If the fans are okay with it I don’t see what the harm is. This is like the Kobe retirement tour that benefit everyone

[monopoman]

As an outsider, I like it because I perceive it to be special, but if I was a Blazer fan, I would hate it.

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

You act like this signing dooms us to mediocrity, if Lillard comes back at even 75% of his last healthy season he will be worth the money.

Either way as a small market team we don't do much with cap space anyways, we never have any top tier agents giving us a shot even if we have $40+ million in cap space. THis is not some gift to Lillard, people on here act like he's 100% done and will likely suck when even a hobbled Lillard can still be a very affective shooter.

[DusterBuster]

As an outsider, I like it because I perceive it to be special, but if I was a Blazer fan, I would hate it.

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

You're point sucks so hard that you've just decided to ignore any points even unbiased fans have brought out poking holes in all your **** arguments and decided to doubling down.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I was about to post a ton of comments from Dame, the franchise and media members for why this is different than any of the examples you brought up, but you're clearly dug in on this bad take, so it's not worth it...

Even I know when I've given a bad take and get called out with good counterpoints (happened PLENTY OF TIMES!)... I know to just take my L move on than double down like a dip ****... I've been there and done that.

Learn from my mistakes, Mr Global Mod.

[monopoman]

For people stating that Dame should never have left in the first place I don't get it. If had a top player on my favorite team who was incapable of getting my team past the second round and the team itself was poorly constructed in such a way that I could not see a potential for that to happen, I would be more than ok with resetting that team.

As a fan, I want to know that my team can seriously compete, make deep playoff runs and have an avenue to improve in 5 years. Not be first round fodder.

That being said, if you're signing someone like Dame at a fraction of the cost, I wouldn't be angry at that though.

Might want to check the stats bro he has been out of the second round with Portland, it's Embiid who hasn't gotten out of the 2nd round despite having superior rosters most of his years.

I swear no player gets more flack for playoff rough times than Lillard, I don't even see Embiid get as much flack for it this despite most thinking that Embiid is the superior player.

[HMFFL]

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

You act like this signing dooms us to mediocrity, if Lillard comes back at even 75% of his last healthy season he will be worth the money.

Either way as a small market team we don't do much with cap space anyways, we never have any top tier agents giving us a shot even if we have $40+ million in cap space. THis is not some gift to Lillard, people on here act like he's 100% done and will likely suck when even a hobbled Lillard can still be a very affective shooter.

Well, you spent a great deal of money on Lillard, and CJ McCollum over the years. Portland has spent money.

There is no harm in paying Lillard to be the face of the team. Even while he recovers. I only said that if I were a Blazer fan, I wouldn't support it. I would want the Lillard chapter to stay closed. I do realize why possibly the majority of Blazer fans support it.

[HMFFL]

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

You're point sucks so hard that you've just decided to ignore any points even unbiased fans have brought out poking holes in all your **** arguments and decided to doubling down.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I was about to post a ton of comments from Dame, the franchise and media members for why this is different than any of the examples you brought up, but you're clearly dug in on this bad take, so it's not worth it...

Even I know when I've given a bad take and get called out with good counterpoints (happened PLENTY OF TIMES!)... I know to just take my L move on than double down like a dip ****... I've been there and done that.

Learn from my mistakes, Mr Global Mod.

I rarely like when a player returns to their former team. In this case, Lillard, once being the face of the franchise, has never really died.

Lillard gave some of you some joy in your childhoods and you can't seem to let it go.

My focus will continue to be on Shaedon Sharpe & Donovan Clingan, and I hope they create a winning culture for Portland.

[DusterBuster]

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

You're point sucks so hard that you've just decided to ignore any points even unbiased fans have brought out poking holes in all your **** arguments and decided to doubling down.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I was about to post a ton of comments from Dame, the franchise and media members for why this is different than any of the examples you brought up, but you're clearly dug in on this bad take, so it's not worth it...

Even I know when I've given a bad take and get called out with good counterpoints (happened PLENTY OF TIMES!)... I know to just take my L move on than double down like a dip ****... I've been there and done that.

Learn from my mistakes, Mr Global Mod.

I rarely like when a player returns to their former team. In this case, Lillard, once being the face of the franchise, has never really died.

Lillard gave some of you some joy in your childhoods and you can't seem to let it go.

My focus will continue to be on Shaedon Sharpe & Donovan Clingan, and I hope they create a winning culture for Portland.

Whatever.

[Drakeem]

As an outsider, I like it because I perceive it to be special, but if I was a Blazer fan, I would hate it.

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

This is some top tier bait, and it's even wilder when you see who's posting it.

"You wouldn't be happy about this if you actually knew what it feels like to win and know the better things in life" is a crazy way to not only put down this move but kick dirt into the faces of the fans who care about this move.

[DavidSterned]

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

You're point sucks so hard that you've just decided to ignore any points even unbiased fans have brought out poking holes in all your **** arguments and decided to doubling down.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I was about to post a ton of comments from Dame, the franchise and media members for why this is different than any of the examples you brought up, but you're clearly dug in on this bad take, so it's not worth it...

Even I know when I've given a bad take and get called out with good counterpoints (happened PLENTY OF TIMES!)... I know to just take my L move on than double down like a dip ****... I've been there and done that.

Learn from my mistakes, Mr Global Mod.

I rarely like when a player returns to their former team. In this case, Lillard, once being the face of the franchise, has never really died.

Lillard gave some of you some joy in your childhoods and you can't seem to let it go.

My focus will continue to be on Shaedon Sharpe & Donovan Clingan, and I hope they create a winning culture for Portland.

News flash: Donovan Clingan and Shaedon Sharpe are both still in Portland and will be featured players for the Blazers next season. The Dame signing does absolutely nothing to impede that in any way.

[Capn'O]

This is like the reverse of a few years ago.

A few years ago:

Everyone Else: You should want Lillard to leave.

Portland Fans: We really don't want Lillard to leave.

Everyone Else: You'll be better off if Lillard leaves

Portland Fans: Again, no. We really like him.

Everyone Else: It will be better for Lillard and better for you. Don't you understand this?

Portland Fans: For the last time, no. We'd prefer he stayed.


Today:

Everyone Else: Oh man this is terrible for Portland. What are they gonna do with Lillard?

Portland Fans: We don't care. We're just happy he's back with the Blazers.

Everyone Else: You're wrong. This is going to be bad for you and so many doors are closing for you.

Portland Fans: Who the hell is signing with the Blazers? Again, we're just happy he's back. He means so much to the team and city. Let the young guys earn their roles. They're not really that young.

Everyone Else: How are you not getting that you don't want Lillard back.

Portland Fans: No, we really do. We really like Lillard.



Portland really likes Lillard. Just let it alone, man.

[monopoman]

This is like the reverse of a few years ago.

A few years ago:

Everyone Else: You should want Lillard to leave.

Portland Fans: We really don't want Lillard to leave.

Everyone Else: You'll be better off if Lillard leaves

Portland Fans: Again, no. We really like him.

Everyone Else: It will be better for Lillard and better for you. Don't you understand this?

Portland Fans: For the last time, no. We'd prefer he stayed.


Today:

Everyone Else: Oh man this is terrible for Portland. What are they gonna do with Lillard?

Portland Fans: We don't care. We're just happy he's back with the Blazers.

Everyone Else: You're wrong. This is going to be bad for you and so many doors are closing for you.

Portland Fans: Who the hell is signing with the Blazers? Again, we're just happy he's back. He means so much to the team and city. Let the young guys earn their roles. They're not really that young.

Everyone Else: How are you not getting that you don't want Lillard back.

Portland Fans: No, we really do. We really like Lillard.



Portland really likes Lillard. Just let it alone, man.

It's funny when people accuse fans of not wanting to win, when many have blamed Olshey for sticking to CJ+Lillard way too long. Many Portland fans wanted CJ traded years before the Lillard trade request to try to to chase a top tier player.

We also lost the entire roster that was starting to trend to be a competitive team with Aldridge and the Blazers were supposed to suck for a few years, which might have gotten us a top pick back when CJ+Lillard were still young. Unfortunately Lillard+CJ took a team that most pegged as dead last in the NBA into a mid-tier playoff team that same season.

Trust me most Blazer fans desperately want a championship again, **** I saw this entire city get very excited when Lillard beat Houston with that last second shot in his first playoffs series. I put a heavy amount of the blame on management and Lillard likely should have threatened them with a potential trade request earlier on like Giannis has done. Lillard has never played with a true all-star in Portland since LMA left, it's criminal the roster he has had to try to win with most of his career in Portland.

To me the only people that could not understand what it's like to be a Blazer fan are those that root for teams that can easily have top tier talent choose them in free agency like the Lakers or some ****. It must be nice to be a top tier 1st market team that can court Lebron in free agency, even after 3 years of being mediocre as ****.

I will say this if we hoist the trophy in my lifetime Portland will be a madhouse after it, no city loves a NBA team as much as Portland loves the Blazers.

[zzaj]

Well, I am one hardcore Blazer fan that has watched every single game Lillard played as a Blazer...and I am not all that pumped about the signing.

I love a player showing loyalty in this version of the NBA. I personally think that Lillard is the greatest Blazer of all time--yes, better than Drexler and Walton. I think the heights that Lillard took a way less talented team is more special than what Walton and Clyde did with those very good teams.

But I also know that Blazer brass considers Lillard a starter, and you better believe Lillard considers himself a starter. And honestly? I think I just mentally have moved on from the Lillard era. If he was willing to come off the bench and sail into his sunset behind Scoot? I would be fine with that...but that's not how the organization is going to treat it. From a team perspective, it makes no sense to me to start to build a young team around a defensive identity, and then bring in a would-be starter who has never been a good defender that also is going to be 36 and coming off a full year of achilles rehab.

Now money? Value? Potential to add another respected and veteran savvy voice to the locker room? I totally get it. That's the only way it starts to make sense to me.

[DusterBuster]

You're point sucks so hard that you've just decided to ignore any points even unbiased fans have brought out poking holes in all your **** arguments and decided to doubling down.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I was about to post a ton of comments from Dame, the franchise and media members for why this is different than any of the examples you brought up, but you're clearly dug in on this bad take, so it's not worth it...

Even I know when I've given a bad take and get called out with good counterpoints (happened PLENTY OF TIMES!)... I know to just take my L move on than double down like a dip ****... I've been there and done that.

Learn from my mistakes, Mr Global Mod.

I rarely like when a player returns to their former team. In this case, Lillard, once being the face of the franchise, has never really died.

Lillard gave some of you some joy in your childhoods and you can't seem to let it go.

My focus will continue to be on Shaedon Sharpe & Donovan Clingan, and I hope they create a winning culture for Portland.

News flash: Donovan Clingan and Shaedon Sharpe are both still in Portland and will be featured players for the Blazers next season. The Dame signing does absolutely nothing to impede that in any way.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it, he's just being pointlessly stubborn. He's got his pointless-point and he's sticking to it. Needlessly black and white, but if that's how people want to view the world, have at it.

[DusterBuster]

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

This is some top tier bait, and it's even wilder when you see who's posting it.

"You wouldn't be happy about this if you actually knew what it feels like to win and know the better things in life" is a crazy way to not only put down this move but kick dirt into the faces of the fans who care about this move.

Bing **** O.

[magee]

Well, I am one hardcore Blazer fan that has watched every single game Lillard played as a Blazer...and I am not all that pumped about the signing.

I love a player showing loyalty in this version of the NBA. I personally think that Lillard is the greatest Blazer of all time--yes, better than Drexler and Walton. I think the heights that Lillard took a way less talented team is more special than what Walton and Clyde did with those very good teams.

But I also know that Blazer brass considers Lillard a starter, and you better believe Lillard considers himself a starter. And honestly? I think I just mentally have moved on from the Lillard era. If he was willing to come off the bench and sail into his sunset behind Scoot? I would be fine with that...but that's not how the organization is going to treat it. From a team perspective, it makes no sense to me to start to build a young team around a defensive identity, and then bring in a would-be starter who has never been a good defender that also is going to be 36 and coming off a full year of achilles rehab.

Now money? Value? Potential to add another respected and veteran savvy voice to the locker room? I totally get it. That's the only way it starts to make sense to me.

I'm with you on all of that, except for the Blazers brass thinking Dame is their starter when he returns at full strength.

Personally I think Scoot is gonna show enough to where unless he just crates defensively, there's no way he's losing his starting spot to Dame.

I just don't see how, even if he comes back to 80% of his former self, he can keep himself on the court if that 20% lost was his lateral quickness. The skillset doesn't go away. The quickness to use it does. He'll still be solid. I just don't see him coming back and being even 60% of the same Dame he was. He's a different type of athlete than Kobe, Klay and KD are, especially at the position he plays.

[Capn'O]

Again, if Scoot puts up 17/8 he doesn't lose the job. If he puts up 12/5 again? Who cares?

[Castle Black]

Read on Twitter

[Pattycakes]

You’re not. We don’t.

Most people outside of Portland have absolutely no clue how much this city loves that man. If you’re one of those people, please don’t try to speak for us.

I know exactly what Lillard means to some Portland fans.


You seem to not be able to discuss what I brought up.

When you have a winning culture things can be different. I use the example of OKC and not bringing KD, Russ, or Harden back, but you & others ignored it.

I mentioned how Portland fans deserve better. Nice job ignoring that.

You act like only Portland fans get the connection with Lillard? I get it but you're just not use to winning. When that changes you will understand and you can be excited about more than just bringing back a former faces of the franchise.

Sure, it's a feel good stroy, great for Portland, but it benefits Lillard. Portland fans can be along for the ride. Maybe prioritizing winning will become more of a trend and expectation.

This is some top tier bait, and it's even wilder when you see who's posting it.

"You wouldn't be happy about this if you actually knew what it feels like to win and know the better things in life" is a crazy way to not only put down this move but kick dirt into the faces of the fans who care about this move.

Bros probably a lakers fan who thinks Deandre Ayton is ready to finally figure it out

[DusterBuster]

Again, if Scoot puts up 17/8 he doesn't lose the job. If he puts up 12/5 again? Who cares?

Seriously, put so simply but so accurate.