Damian Lillard expressed “a lot of love” for both the team and the town as he returns to Portland for the first time
since departing the a lot of love” for both the team and the town as he returns to Portland for the first time since departing the Trail Blazers after 11 seasons
The eight-time All-Star will play his first game in Portland on Wednesday night since being dealt to the Milwaukee
Bucks in the offseason.
There were no hard feelings about the trade or his time in Portland: Lillard wanted to join an NBA title contender,
whereas the Blazers were more interested on nurturing young players.
“I adored the organization. I adored everyone I worked with on a daily basis. And I think what made it the most
difficult was that it wasn’t a broken relationship. So coming back, being able to be here, I’m in a wonderful situation,”
Lillard said on Tuesday. “The reason it all started in the first place was the opportunity to win it all. We couldn’t be in
that location at the same moment. So I return with love, and I’m happy to be back at the Moda Center.”
Lillard averaged 32.2 points with the Blazers last season and had averaged at least 24 in the previous eight seasons.
When he finished with 71 points against the Houston Rockets last February, he became only the seventh player in
NBA history to reach that milestone.
However, Portland only won four playoff series throughout Lillard’s tenure, reaching the Western Conference Finals
once. Last season, the team went 33-49, finishing well outside the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Since losing their star point guard, the Blazers have struggled to adjust. The squad is now 14-33 and ranks second-to-
last in the Western Conference.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups stated that having Lillard return with a different jersey will be strange. But he’s
delighted for his friend, and he completely understands his decision to move on.
