What do you want to see from Damian?

[Fez Hammersticks]

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!

 

[illmatic99]

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.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

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.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

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.

Yeah, Kobe was one of he least clutch shooters over the last 5-8 years... But by then he was pretty old.

 

[shamelessblazer]

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.

 

[illmatic99]

Yeah, Kobe was one of he least clutch shooters over the last 5-8 years... But by then he was pretty old.

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

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

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.

 

[HailBlazers]

Better entry passes to the post.

 

[Strenuus]

Be a 2 time all star.

 

[Minstrel]

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

The Kobe Effect

 

[blue9]

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

I want to see him continue the jump to superstardom.

 

[magnifier661]

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

 

[riverman]

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

 

[PtldPlatypus]

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

Far exceed Nash-esque? Nash is a hall-of-famer. How will Dame "far exceed" that?

 

[Minstrel]

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.

 

[PDXFonz]

I want him to start taking deeper threes. I wonder how far away he can consistently hit them.

 

[magnifier661]

Far exceed Nash-esque? Nash is a hall-of-famer. How will Dame "far exceed" that?

We can have that conversation when Lillard is at Nash's age. And Nash isn't a hall of famer yet.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We can have that conversation when Lillard is at Nash's age. And Nash isn't a hall of famer yet.

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?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

The Kobe Effect

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.

 

[riverman]

While I'm wishing here, I'd like Dame to put up big first half numbers, 25pts 12 assists for example and bury teams so the bench can finish more games with a cushion and not have to have clutch winners at the buzzer for a change.

 

[Rhal]

I would like to see Dame add a nice floater into his game and to really get a good grasp on when to get his teammates involved and when to just take over a game. When we go through stretches of not scoring for awhile sometimes he can get to caught up in trying to spread the ball around and will pass up open shot attempts to try and get teammates going. I think the biggest and most obvious is his D, which I think he will improve on. He expends a lot of energy and does try on that side of the ball he is just bad at it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

A smidge of defense

 

[magnifier661]

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?

Lol I know I know.... Nash is a HOFer.

I think the thing Nash doesn't have is the killer instinct. The thing Magic, Jordan, bird, Barkley, Malone, Kobe and others have. I think it's more valuable than assists or points.

An example of the killer instinct was something I remembered when Portland met the bulls in the finals. There was a production piece made by NBC about what Jordan vs Drexler had. Drexler said "I can hit the threes" over Jordan. Game one, Jordan hit like 6 3s in the first half. The famous "I dunno" arm raise after.

This is what I think Dame has. The drive to be "the best player on the court". I believe is more valuable than any stat.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

A smidge of defense

It wouldn't take much, for sure.

 

[BBert]

Defense and a floater in the key. He really needs the floater.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

honest answer: Hopefully, the bench will be better and Lillard will be able to use more of his energy on the defensive end.

stupid answer: Finals MVP.

 

[42N8Bounce]

Nice little article here from Basketball Insiders:
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/a-visual-guide-to-damian-lillard/

A number of people here have mentioned that they would like to see Lillard improve his floater. I'm not a big fan of the floater. I'd prefer to see him develop a more consistent mid-range pull up jumper and/or finishing at the rim. He only shot 44.7% from 2pt range last year. Not terrible, but certainly an area I think he could improve. Comparing his 2pt% to some of the top point guards in the league last year:
- Goran Dragic, 54.2%
- Eric Bledsoe, 51.7%
- Stephen Curry, 50.9%
- Tony Parker, 50.9%
- Deron Williams, 50.0%
- Chris Paul, 49.8%
- Mike Conley, 48.4%
- Russell Westbrook, 48.2%
- Jrue Holiday, 45.9%
- John Wall, 45.8%
- Kyrie Irving, 45.8%
- Damian Lillard, 44.7%
- Rajon Rondo, 44.2%

Granted Damian's deadly 3 pt shooting helps his true shooting percentage, but I think if he's going to take it to the next level, improving his 2 pt shooting percentage is where his focus should be.

 

[STOMP]

Nice little article here from Basketball Insiders:
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/a-visual-guide-to-damian-lillard/

A number of people here have mentioned that they would like to see Lillard improve his floater. I'm not a big fan of the floater. I'd prefer to see him develop a more consistent mid-range pull up jumper and/or finishing at the rim. He only shot 44.7% from 2pt range last year. Not terrible, but certainly an area I think he could improve. Comparing his 2pt% to some of the top point guards in the league last year:
- Goran Dragic, 54.2%
- Eric Bledsoe, 51.7%
- Stephen Curry, 50.9%
- Tony Parker, 50.9%
- Deron Williams, 50.0%
- Chris Paul, 49.8%
- Mike Conley, 48.4%
- Russell Westbrook, 48.2%
- Jrue Holiday, 45.9%
- John Wall, 45.8%
- Kyrie Irving, 45.8%
- Damian Lillard, 44.7%
- Rajon Rondo, 44.2%

Granted Damian's deadly 3 pt shooting helps his true shooting percentage, but I think if he's going to take it to the next level, improving his 2 pt shooting percentage is where his focus should be.

yup. Improving his pull up J on drives & in the Pick n Roll would do wonders for his effectiveness. I'd love to see him try to emulate Tony Parker's surgical offensive approach & feel comfortable taking those open looks

STOMP

 

[BigGameDamian]

MVP and to lead this team to the WCF. This is the year Lillard becomes the leader of this team.