Damian Lillard isn’t playing this season while recovering from a torn Achilles, but his jumper was still sharp enough to win Saturday’s three-point contest at All-Star Weekend, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic. Appearing on an NBA court for the first time since he suffered the injury last April 27, the Trail Blazers guard sank 10 straight shots at one point during the final round to defeat Devin Booker and rookie Kon Knueppel.
It’s Lillard’s third victory in the past four years and it ties him with Larry Bird and Craig Hodges, the only other three-time champs in the history of the contest, which began in 1986.
“Every day I’m up early in the morning warming up and shooting the ball, off the dribble, catch-and-shoot, every style of shot you can shoot. I’m shooting them every day, hundreds of ’em,” Lillard said. “So I knew that this would not be an issue for me. I can’t say I knew that I would win ’cause you just never know. But I knew I would be able to be strong out there and have a chance. I came in confident.”
Lillard was a surprise inclusion in the field of eight contestants because of the injury and his long layoff. He jokingly told a league official that he was ready to go, and he later got the opportunity when another competitor dropped out.
“It felt like a game for me,” Lillard said. “Coming into it, I was like, I don’t know if you can compete harder at a three-point shootout, but I definitely cared more. I didn’t come in, ‘Oh, it is what it is.’ I was like, ‘No, I’m trying to win.’”
Woike notes that the favorite of the L.A. crowd was Heat guard Norman Powell, who spent three years with the Clippers before being traded last summer. Powell scored 23 points in the first round before being eliminated along with Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey and Bobby Portis.
“I just ran a little bit of time,” Powell said, per Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel (subscription required). “I slowed myself down a little too much, because last year I was sped up and going through the course too fast, so kind of said I’m gonna calm down, relax. and take my time with my shots. But, in the end, I ran a little bit of time.”
Second-year Heat forward Keshad Johnson won the Slam Dunk Contest, defeating Carter Bryant in the finals. Jaxson Hayes and Jase Richardson were eliminated in the first round.
The Shooting Stars competition went to the Knicks‘ contingent of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Allan Houston, along with their celebrity passer, assistant coach Rick Brunson.
Jalen Brunson’s dad being a “celebrity passer” was unfair but besides that, it was a great night 🔥
Insert Peter griffin *who the hell cares * gif
Dame still got game. Hush up haters.
He is always great in offense only competitions, its the team building and defense where his haters chime in,
He took them to the WCF in ’19, and got swept away by my Warriors. That team was definitely over achieving. If he had some better contributors around him when he was in his prime things might have been different.
Shooting line for ’19 playoff run:
.418 / .373 /.833
26.9 per game
That’s a real good playoff performance. That’s a role, and a hard one to fill.
2019?
Bro.
Yeah he had a good slash line in the 2019 playoffs.
This is evidence that he did not suck.
Not your bro.
He has a good series and then he gets hurt.
He’s never had a problem with team building. He’s never been a General Manager.
Yes, as long as no one guards him and he doesn’t have to play defense, he’s amazing.
“Dame Time” —- ⌚️
Booker blew it. He had it.
So I’m a little biased for this particular event as I may have gambled on Dame Time winning the competition and he reciprocated. But the man has no understanding of the word “pressure”, literally shows up for a 3 point contest without playing a single game this year (and isn’t expected to.), and wins.
Damian Lillard a monster with no pulse on the court. I’ll always be a fan of that man. I’m hoping the dude can get back on the court and get himself a championship before he calls it a career.
Not with Portland he can’t. No offense to the team intended, which I follow and appreciate for some unknown reason, but they are not contending in Dame’s time.
I wish I could disagree as the blazers do have some talent in their roster: Avdija (as a wizards fan I’m still kinda upset we parted ways, even if it works out for both sides), Clingan, Scoot, Dame, Sharpe, Jerami Grant, Camara, Love. But you might be right, Dame is 35, it’s hard to say if they can refine their talent on their roster into a championship contender while he is still balling.
Being a Wizards fan while also being a fan of Damian Lillard should get your NBA fandom revoked and your opinion/gambling privileges taken away, Scruffy
Lmao MUT let that man like what he likes!!!
No team has ever contended in dames time
They put this on way too early bet the viewing number are going to be terrible.
I had no idea it was so early and had it spoiled for me. It’s usually in prime time.
Congrats Dame.
Knicks need to do the funniest thing and hang a Shooting Stars banner in the rafters.
And put Ricks face on it…
It clearly didn’t have a defensive component otherwise Dame would’ve ended up last even at full health.
Should have an NBA award called the Carmelo Anthony and you can only win it if you never have a chance to win a championship like Lillard or Doncic.
I did not know Damian Lillard was such a polarizing figure. Seems like the worm has really turned on offense-first guards. These guys were once revered for their ability to put the rock in the hole. See Trae Young. Maybe never around here, but…
Steph is also a version of this. Maybe the ultimate version. Although his D has improved and he at least tries, unlike Trae.
In my opinion Trae Young and Damian Lillard could potentially play a role on a successful team, but both players need to be surrounded by a team that makes up for their deficits. Dame is probably too old for this role, but if this type of player is viewed as a “role player” then I think they can still have value in the league. Dame did have success with a less than great team around him – the record don’t lie.
Steph and GS were a defensive powerhouse back in the day. It’s what won them the rings.