The foundation for the Portland Trail Blazers’ success may be in jeopardy.
Chris Haynes with Yahoo Sports reports that All-Star guard Damian Lillard’s playing days in Portland may be numbered.
The huge uproar over Chauncey Billups becoming the Blazers’ next head coach and the team’s weak roster has Lillard rethinking his commitment to Rose City.
The 9-year-veteran, who in the past has said Portland allowed him to be the “best version of myself as a player,” via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, is now taking heat from fans on social media for the Blazers expected coaching hire.
Old reports of sexual assault charges against Billups have resurfaced, and the backlash has been intense.
Really? I was asked what coaches I like of the names I “heard” and I named them. Sorry I wasn’t aware of their history I didn’t read the news when I was 7/8yrs old. I don’t support Those things … but if this the route y’all wana come at me… say less https://t.co/N1GPkX3Ohd
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 26, 2021
I said what I said family. https://t.co/uwgFRPS5zW
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 26, 2021
Lillard, who pointed out that he was still in grade school when the charges against Billups were made, said he was unaware of that incident and of Jason Kidd’s history of domestic violence.
“Sorry I wasn’t aware of their history I didnt read the news when I was 7/8yrs old. I don’t support Those things … but if this the route y’all wana come at me… say less,” Dame tweeted.
Lillard’s first choice for coach was Kidd, but the former Mavericks’ guard backed out and was eventually hired to replace Rick Carlise in Dallas.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old Lillard is also concerned about the team’s potential to compete for a title.
The Blazers have been to the playoffs eight consecutive times with Dame, but they’ve never made it to the Finals.
Lillard has done his part, putting up huge numbers each year, including averaging 34.3 points and 10.2 assists these playoffs only to lose to the Denver Nuggets.
CJ McCollum has been a big help; the Trail Blazers will need more than just Dame and McCollum if they want to compete for the Larry O’Brien trophy next June.
