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

[Rastapopoulos]

“When people say stuff about my defense, it bothers me,’’ Lillard said.

Eric was right! He DOES read this stuff!

“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.

All RIGHT! I guess we can hold off trading him for a low first rounder now...

(Payton can also help him with his trash talking, another serious weakness in the Lillard game.)

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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.

That's bullshit. If he aspires to be great, then, like Jordan, Kobe and LeBron, he's got to become a great defender. And you don't see them slacking off.

 

[The Dude]

The Dude has wondered many times why Gary Payton isn't on the coaching staff.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I dont need Lillard to be 1st team All-Defense. If it happens great but if Payton can teach some of the small things like how direct the offensive player when defending, how to funnel them to the right spots, how to play the passing lanes, when, where and how to reach the right way. Lillard doesnt need to be a lock down defender but if he can become a smart, above average defender it could total change how we go about defending. I can easily see Lillard becoming one of the league leaders in steals. He is too smart and too quick not to.

 

[magnifier661]

The Dude has wondered many times why Gary Payton isn't on the coaching staff.

That's a great idea. How about we give Payton kalebs defensive coaching job?

 

[Pinwheel1]

That's a great idea. How about we give Payton kalebs defensive coaching job?

Does Payton really want to work endless hours breaking down film and being someone's assistant? I can see these former super stars working with players for a few months a year, but few really want to work for it. Sure they will take a gig on TV/radio and then wait for a HEAD coaching position, but few of them can leave their ego's at the door and be an assistant.

 

[magnifier661]

Does Payton really want to work endless hours breaking down film and being someone's assistant? I can see these former super stars working with players for a few months a year, but few really want to work for it. Sure they will take a gig on TV/radio and then wait for a HEAD coaching position, but few of them can leave their ego's at the door and be an assistant.

Great coaches usually are assistant coaches. Hopefully that ego for Payton would be left at the door because if he could win a ring or get deep in the playoffs as an assistant; he would be a front runner for a head coaching job.

 

[BBert]

Didn't he work out with Kobe?

I don't remember that. Martell did!

Oh, I see you posted the same.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Love this picture:

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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

Gary Payton is overrated.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

^only kidding.

I love me some GP. One of my faves of all-time.

 

[magnifier661]

^only kidding.

I love me some GP. One of my faves of all-time.

I would love for GP to give Lillard some fire during games. He needs the ability to talk some trash and get under player(s) skins. I think it's a dying art that more stars should try and master. Cause during a playoff game it's 40% talent and 60% mental. If our stars put the mental pressure on other teams, we could take them out of their game completely.

FUCK the CHOIR BOY attitude!

 

[Hobbesarable]

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

Yep. Hand-checking and physical D is a thing of the past.

 

[Reep]

I would love for GP to give Lillard some fire during games. He needs the ability to talk some trash and get under player(s) skins.

Yeah, this segment from the last year with Kobe shows a true lack of skill:

I said, “Kobe, I just need you to miss one,” and he just kind of ignored me and just stayed focus and he went and made both free throws. And then there was a timeout and I remember walking back on the floor and he walked past me, and he tapped me on the back and said, “This isn’t my first rodeo, rook.”

He just needs to avoid breakfast cereal references.

 

[magnifier661]

Yeah, this segment from the last year with Kobe shows a true lack of skill:



He just needs to avoid breakfast cereal references.

What he needed to say is "Mamba, I heard you and your wife divorced... I'm a sexy man. You think I got a chance with her?"

 

[BlazerWookee]

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

His too.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

His too.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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

So what you're saying is that working out with star players doesn't always lead to improved results on the court?

 

[Natebishop3]

You can't teach trash talk. That's just not how it's done. The truly good trash talkers used it as a weapon, but they also used it to psych themselves up. Reggie Miller was one of my all-time favorite players to watch, but if you weren't rooting for him you most likely hated his guts. He was cheap, he was annoying, he would talk tons of shit, and he would get under your skin. That's just who he was as a player.

We've really only seen the tip of the iceberg for Dame, but he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who needs to psych himself up. He's one of those cold blooded guys who just goes out there and does his business. That's totally fine. Don't try to make him into something he's not.

 

[illmatic99]

TBH, I get the feeling that Nic is the guy on our team who talks trash. Dame doesn't have that mentality.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

FUCK the CHOIR BOY attitude!

You mean, be like a Catholic Priest?

 

[magnifier661]

You mean, be like a Catholic Priest?

Doh!!!!!!

 

[illmatic99]

Wow.

Paul Allen ‏@PaulGAllen
Extremely proud to have @dame_lillard part of #RipCity. Rookie of the Year is the first award but by no means his last!

Damian Lillard Damian Lillard ‏@Dame_Lillard
@PaulGAllen thanks Paul...

Called PA by his first name. Don't get yourself traded now, Dame haha

 

[Natebishop3]

Wow.





Called PA by his first name. Don't get yourself traded now, Dame haha

HCP calls him P Diddy.

 

[Shooter]

If Jordan excelled at both ends of the court, I'm sure Lillard can, too.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Wow.
Called PA by his first name. Don't get yourself traded now, Dame haha

"His momma name him Paul, I'ma call him Paul!"