Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 superstar NBA players that desperately need help

By Orestis Rantis

Feb 14, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) after the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) after the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 15: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at Moda Center on November 15, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

5 superstar NBA players that desperately need help: 2. Damian Lillard

Could we perhaps get some sort of counter for all the times that Damian Lillard’s name has been thrown into a conversation such as this one?

The Portland Trail Blazers have had Lillard for about 10 years now, and it seems like we’re watching the same movie over and over again. A guaranteed playoff berth, followed by a first or second-round exit.

Over these 10 years, Lillard has been all by himself. The Blazers have made no effort whatsoever to surround him with quality players, and pretty much gave up once they lost LaMarcus Aldridge in 2015.

Their starting lineup and rotation has been changing so little year by year, that it never makes a difference when compared to other contenders making big-name signings and trades.

The Blazers aren’t struggling this year at all. They are above .500 and are set for a playoff spot, once again. However, from a neutral point of view, it’s incredibly frustrating seeing Dame’s abilities go straight down the drain. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what a Blazers fan might feel like.

His long-running sidekick, CJ McCollum, is not a bad player whatsoever, though he is very undersized and too similar to Lillard when it comes to scoring. This makes the Blazers very one-dimensional.

With approximately 29 teams interested in Dame’s talents, the loyalty that Lillard has projected over the course of his career is admirable. He never left in free agency, nor did he demand to be traded to a contender like so many other NBA players.

In these opening 16 games, Lillard hasn’t really been his true self. He’s averaging just 21.6 points per game on some horrific shooting percentages. Could it be a lack of motivation after living the same movie for so many years?