Rookie of the Year behind him, Lillard turns next to defense, Gary Payton

[SlyPokerDog]

The Rookie of the Year trophy rested beside him, the product of a pretty jump shot, great court vision, steely poise, and an uncanny ability to finish at the rim. But his true greatness was revealed once the subject turned to his one weakness - defense.

His smile faded, his eyes narrowed and his words became more firm.

“When people say stuff about my defense, it bothers me,’’ Lillard said. “And I’m aware of it. It drives me. It lights a fire under me.’’

If that attitude and drive doesn’t convince Trail Blazers fans that the franchise is in good hands, maybe this will: The wheels are already in motion for Lillard to workout and study defense this summer under the tutelage of the greatest defensive point guard ever, Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

“He said ‘I want to help you,’ ’’ Lillard said of Payton. “He said it would take time for me to become a defender, but he said I have everything to become one. So this will be the summer where I get in the gym with him and try to learn from him.’’

Payton has taken an interest in Lillard because both hail from East Oakland, which has also produced NBA point guards Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw. Lillard and Payton also share the same agents - Aaron and Eric Goodwin. Lillard said Payton first reached out at the end of his college career at Weber State, but Aaron Goodwin said Payton’s interest intensified in January after watching Lillard score 37 points at Golden State.

The next day, Aaron Goodwin got a phone call from Payton.

“Gary said ‘This kid has more than I ever had, than Jason (Kidd) ever had, than Brian (Shaw) ever had,’’ Goodwin said. “Now, this is big, because Gary always considered himself the best. And he said ‘I want to help this kid get his defense down. Because if he gets better defensively, he will be the best to ever come out of the California area.’

"Now that’s from Gary; that’s Gary admitting this kid is special. From Gary Payton, that takes a lot.’’

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...sider_damian_lillards_one_weakness_leads.html

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I've always been a huge Gary Payton fan. I think this is great news.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

How sick would it be if Lillard could learn even half as much defense as Payton used to provide.

Pleasantly waiting to see Lillards improved defense next year.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

How sick would it be if Lillard could learn even half as much defense as Payton used to provide.

Pleasantly waiting to see Lillards improved defense next year.

I'd settle for half. The refs/rules won't allow players to play the same caliber of defense that Payton did.

 

[RoyToy]

This past year GP was at the Blazers/Clippers game and at halftime I watched GP spend the entire halftime signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

Gotta love GP

 

[ABM]

The Gauntlet

 

[magnifier661]

Wow can you imagine Payton teaching him?! Holly shit!!!!!

 

[ABM]

Wow can you imagine Payton teaching him?! Holly shit!!!!!

 

[oldguy]

Just gotta love this kid. A rook that just plain 'gets it.'

Go Blazers

 

[ABM]

Just gotta love this kid. A rook that just plain 'gets it.'

Go Blazers

Not only gets it, but has it, as well.

 

[magnifier661]

Just gotta love this kid. A rook that just plain 'gets it.'

Go Blazers

Roy had the same type of work ethic.

 

[oldguy]

Amen to that!

Now I want to see The Glove help him get some more of it.

Go Blazers

 

[ABM]

Amen to that!

Now I want to see The Glove help him get some more of it.

Go Blazers

I see Lillard as having the potential/exposure to be voted an AS starter.

 

[oldguy]

Roy had the same type of work ethic.

I don't disagree with you. Otoh, I don't remember Brandon working out with Ron Artest after his rookie year.

Go Blazers

 

[oldguy]

I see Lillard as having the potential/exposure to be voted an AS starter.

I could see that.....if the team will just win some freak'n games to help him out.

Go Blazers

 

[magnifier661]

I don't disagree with you. Otoh, I don't remember Brandon working out with Ron Artest after his rookie year.

Go Blazers

That's where I see Lillard better. He isn't only looking at one dimension like Roy did. Lillard wants to be the best in the league

 

[oldguy]

That's where I see Lillard better. He isn't only looking at one dimension like Roy did. Lillard wants to be the best in the league

I can remember when fans laughed that Jerm wanted to be the best in the league. He never made it, but I'd say he did pretty damned well for himself.

One thing I do believe is that you don't become the best in the league unless you really want it.

Go Blazers

 

[KingSpeed]

I see Lillard as having the potential/exposure to be voted an AS starter.

Yes. Once Kobe retires or if Chris Paul left the conference. This is great news about Lillard.

 

[BBert]

Ask Damian to play defense like Payton and still carry us offensively and I hope his coach has the sense to cut his minutes back a smidge, so he has something in the tank to be our finisher. Roy paced himself every game and that included on the defensive end. I like Lillard more than Roy. This guy is special.

 

[THE HCP]

I'm worried he will wear himself out trying to be an on the ball defender like GP. I'm very content if Dame has the same season he had this year and never changes for the next 10 years. Find us a descent big man to help him out.

 

[magnifier661]

I think adding a defensive element to his game won't wear him down. The glove was still high offense and defense. Lillard has the motor and drive to get there

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I don't disagree with you. Otoh, I don't remember Brandon working out with Ron Artest after his rookie year.

Go Blazers

Didn't he work out with Kobe?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm worried he will wear himself out trying to be an on the ball defender like GP. I'm very content if Dame has the same season he had this year and never changes for the next 10 years. Find us a descent big man to help him out.

If we get a real backup PG, he can play hard for 34 minutes rather than 38, and focus more on defense.

 

[MickZagger]

I'm worried he will wear himself out trying to be an on the ball defender like GP. I'm very content if Dame has the same season he had this year and never changes for the next 10 years. Find us a descent big man to help him out.

A big man of white descent?

 

[Pinwheel1]

It's all about crunch time. He doesn't need to go all out on D the whole game. But in the 4th he needs to kick it in to a different level . I am not saying he shouldn't play any D the rest of the game, but if he is carrying us on O while playing 36 plus minutes, he needs to pick his spots on D.

 

[illmatic99]

Didn't he work out with Kobe?

Doubt it.

I do recall this summer workout thing, though:

Dude came out of the summer jacked

www.broy7.com/roy/blogDetail/636

And this was the summer after his sophomore year.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It was Martell who worked out with Kobe... my bad.

 

[illmatic99]

BTW, I'm glad Olshey brought up the 35 min # for Dame moving forward. I like that much better than 39. No matter how durable he is (knocks), I don't want him playing those kinds of minutes with our training staff and luck behind him.

 

[Haakzilla]

Dude came out of the summer jacked

...do you think that added muscle helped to ruin his knees at a faster pace?

 

[JDC]

...do you think that added muscle helped to ruin his knees at a faster pace?

No. I remember him saying that he trimmed down shortly after that summer was over. Think it was in a media day interview or something before the start of that third year.