The Houston series took his game to another level IMO. He's developing into a killer on the court with the legit clutch gene to boot -- like Kobe Bryant. What I want to see is a lot more P&R from Lillard. With his jumper, this would be almost unstoppable. If he's handed the keys I think he could be Nash-esque. Go!
Just one thing: better defense. He needs some serious film sessions to figure out how to attack picks at the appropriate angles. The tools are there, but he doesn't use them correctly. And smh @ Kobe clutch gene -- that's such a misconception of Kobe.
Lillard is top 5 in the league for clutch stats already; I think he can be top 3 with a floater and better timing on getting fouled. I'd love to see him perfect the floater and continue his progress at getting just the right amount of contact at the rim to make the shot and get the foul. I'd like to see him start working the pick and roll with Robin. Drop the turnovers a bit, too. I think he can be a legit 23 PER player next season... In his third year. Every summer he grows, it's like we traded a good point guard for a better one.
Yeah, Kobe was one of he least clutch shooters over the last 5-8 years... But by then he was pretty old.
He and T-Rob need to develop a pick n roll game from the top of the key. This would lead to easy buckets for both. Batum and Lopez's at the elbow is already a nice change of pace. I could see a couple of b/u units to pair with the starters meshing well. Blake/CJ/Batum/Aldridge/Lopez - obviously this one is running through Aldridge, with shooters all around and Batum/Lopez pick n roll. Blake stays the hell out of the way, which is his specialty. Lillard/Barton/Matthews/Robinson/Kaman - here Lillard can go to work, but also stretch out as a shooter when Barton does his thing. Also, Kaman provides some post offense to keep the D honest. Barton and Robinson can be a two man fast break.
From my impression, his high attempts are the reason he's always thought of as being so clutch. I want to dig a bit deeper, but I believe a guy like Melo was more clutch during his peak than Kobe was in his
I want to see him be the best he can be, so far he is doing just that. I believe he will continue to get better so people better watch out.
Agree with the floater and the pick and ROLL with Robinson. And of course defense. We need some more pick and roll in our offense...two or three times with Nic/Lopez isn't enough.
I think he will far exceed "Nash-esque". But not in terms of distributing. Personally, there isn't much I want more of. Just fine tune what's he's already good at
What I want to see from Lillard is simple. I want to see him holding a championship trophy and to do that I want him to be great on both sides of the court
Nash is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, as well as being a great ball-handler and distributor (in his prime). If Lillard even approaches Nash's career, that's a great outcome for Portland.
Obviously--he hasn't retired yet. But you and I both know he's getting in. Let's not be unnecessarily contentious. C'mon man--you're the one who said you think Dame will far exceed "Nash-esque". Why won't you elaborate?
No substance at all to any of his game winning threes. You can bet there would be plenty if he was missing. Speaking of Dame here not Kobe. (Can you say choker in the mold of Jim Kelly?) The fact that he has the guts to put it up with the pressure and stay focused enough in the moment to make it suggests a lot more than this blog would give credit for.