Prior to the Cavaliers‘ primetime matchup against the Trail Blazers on Thursday, LeBron James discussed point guard Damian Lillard and his impact on the court. Lillard has thrown his own name into the MVP discussions and while he’s an elite player, he sometimes flies under the radar.
Per NBA.com, James spoke highly of Lillard and even quipped that he could use his own talents to show how valuable of a player Lillard can be — even if he’s underrated by some.
“No, I don’t think so,” James said of the idea that Lillard is underappreciated. “I don’t think so, but he definitely uses that. I like how he uses that. If you’re a true basketball [mind] — there’s not a lot of true basketball minds and people that understand the game — but for me, I understand it. I know. Give me Damian Lillard. I’ll show you how appreciated he’ll be.”
In 60 games this season, Lillard has averaged 26.9 PPG, 6.5 APG, and 4.5 RPG.
Check out more Cavaliers notes below:
- Head coach Tyronn Lue’s handling of J.R. Smith is the latest example of the Cavs’ communication issues, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor writes. Departed point guard Isaiah Thomas addressed those problems during his brief stint with Cleveland and he seems to have had a point, Fedor notes. Lue said he talked with Smith about benching him, but the struggling guard had a different version of the story. “We didn’t talk,” Smith said. “He sent me a text (Monday), and I told him, ‘No problem.’ I didn’t know that it was a ‘talk.’ That’s all right, though. I’m not upset about it. I just wish there would have been more dialogue, I guess.”
- Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer examines the Cavaliers’ current situation and questions whether or not they should be in panic mode. While Cleveland did add younger players and improved its roster at the deadline, the team is still waiting for Kevin Love to return from injury. Pluto also discusses the Cavs’ rebounding and the recent rash of injuries.
I did not get a panic vibe from Pluto. Cavs do well when Love is the #2 option.
James gets along with post players. This is what crosses my mind watching Ayton & Arizona.
If the Cavs get Ayton Lebron would be out of his mind to leave Cleveland. If they can get Ayton or Young no way Lebron leaves Cleveland.
Young?!?!? Come on.
Yes Trae Young. He would easily average 20 alongside Lebron and open up the floor for the Cavs with his perimeter game and play making ability.
LeBron doesn’t leave Cleveland because they are the only team that can offer a max contract.
Any team in the league would move contracts and players to open up cap room to bring in LeGOAT.
Moving contracts requires getting all teams to approve and isn’t easy because of the salary cap, and team needs (like Ryan Anderson). Lakers are too young for LeBron, Philly can’t get max (it was on this site), and Rockets wouldn’t be able to make trade to satisfy Cavs. LeGoat is your generation’s opinion, not mine. For that matter most who don’t reads this blog prefer Jordan!
For what it’s worth, the Sixers are close enough to having max-salary room that I don’t think it would be a problem getting there if LeBron wants to go to Philadelphia (like the Celtics trading Bradley last summer after Hayward committed to Boston).
Remember what happened when the Rockets tried to find a trade partner for Ryan Anderson to get Carmelo Anthony?
Sure, but that was a three-year deal with $61MM+ left on it. It’d be a lot easier for the Sixers to move, say, Jerryd Bayless’ expiring $8.5MM contract if they need to.
lebron will be a free agent, houston wouldnt have to make a trade w. the cavs @ thomas
The Rockets won’t have cap room if they re-sign Paul and/or Capela though, so there’s a belief that if LeBron wants to go to Houston, he’d have to do what CP3 did last year — exercise his player option and be traded there. For that to happen, the Cavs would have to sign off on acquiring some combination of Eric Gordon/Ryan Anderson + draft picks and/or younger players.
Go Pacers!!
Of course people have different opinions on who the GOAT is. Most people watched Jordan in his prime when they were old enough to actually understand basketball. A lot of other people say LeBron because they were either too young to appreciate and understand prime Jordan or never got to see Jordan play at all.
Last time a team drafted an undersized PG just because Bron liked them was Shabazz Napier. That didn’t work out too well and even though Bazz is playing well in Portland and Trey Young is a whole different player, they can’t just get the guy and expect Bron to stay because he didn’t with Shabazz. Lebron does what he wants and making any moves to try to appease him will end up backfiring if he leaves.
“Give me Damian Lillard. I’ll show you how appreciated he’ll be.” Come to Portland then Bron!! I know it’s easier said than done but I can’t think of a better fit basketball wise than Portland.
Lillard would be a legit MVP contender if he was playing like he has of late all season. Would still have to give the edge to Harden in this case (there’s no reason why he shouldn’t win it unless him and Houston fall apart to end the season) but Lillard probably would’ve finished top 3 in that scenario. Right now, he’s probably top 5-6.
Since we’re speaking in the hypothetical about Lillard playing like this all year, Portland dropped quite a few close games earlier in the year that would have been Ws if Dame was in fact playing this good all year. If their record was closer to the Warriors and Rockets records, and Lillard was playing like this, I think that would make it even tougher to go with Harden over him when Harden’s team added CP and the Blazers biggest addition was their rookies.
Bron on the Blazers is a automatic ring. McCollum and Lillard would make it ridiculously easy for Lebron to focus on defense and play making. As far as basketball fit Portland is the best option for Lebron, to play with 2 perimeter demigods who can get their own shot that would make Lebron’s game flourish.
Maybe Adam Silver should fine LeBron for tampering because he spoke about Damian, what the difference between this and what happened with Magic and Giannis?
LBJ is not an executive.
I’m sure Lebron thinks he is in his head lol.
Just like Shaq is a Sheriff
His dad really was.
“give me damian lillard” lol feels like lebron is campaigning one way or another