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Damian Lillard Named Co-MVP of 2012 Las Vegas Summer League
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  1. caseyholdahl
    caseyholdahl
    Posts: 246

    Posted 07/22/2012 4:47 PM

    Damian Lillard, the player selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was named Co-MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League on Sunday. Lillard, who shares the MVP honor with Memphis guard Josh Selby, averaged 26.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists in four games while helping Portland to a 4-1 record in the league.

    The 6-3 guard showed he could not only score, but act as a leader on the floor from the point position, both in play and attitude. He also showed an ability to finish at the rim with athleticism, as he did against the Denver Nuggets in Portland's 95-82 victory on July 20.



    Some might have questioned Lillard's ability to play against bigger, stronger players after playing three seasons in a Big Sky Conference school, but throughout summer league, he showed on many occasions the ability to finish, both at the rim and away from the basket, after drawing contact.


    While most realized Lillard's averages in college looked more like those of a shooting guard than a point only because of his status as Weber State's primary scorer, there was still a desire to see whether he truly possessed the skills necessary to run the point in the NBA. Those questions were adequately satisfied, at least as much as anything can be satisfied in four games (he sat out the fifth game) in Las Vegas.



    (Please pardon the NBA for labeling this video "Leonard To Martin Alley-oop" when it should in fact be "Leonard To BARTON Alley-oop." It's summer league for all of us.)

    Lillard was also able to develop a familiarity with rookie center Meyers Leonard, selected by the Trail Blazers with the 11th overall pick, through the games in Las Vegas, as well as the mini camp leading up to the summer league. Both players are expected to receive significant playing time, often while on the court together. The hope would be their performance from summer league carries over to the start of fall camp.


    In whole, a very successful summer league for Damian Lillard. While others have had statistical success in their first runs in Las Vegas, only to end up not meeting expectations, one doesn't get the sense Lillard's performance was a product of poor competition or selfish play. His ability to answer every question observers asked during the draft process in his debut as a Trail Blazer is the most you can ask of a player at summer league. And if nothing else, we found out he can more than hold his own among his peers of the 2012 draft class.

    I am a fan of
  1. log1011
    log1011
    Posts: 22

    Posted 07/22/2012 7:58 PM

    All I can say is AWESOME!
    I am a fan of GOOD roster decisions
  1. DLW-3*
    DLW-3*
    Posts: 39

    Posted 07/22/2012 8:39 PM

    Way to go Damian, congrats! Stoked to watch you develop your game even more during the season. GO BLAZERS!!!
    I am a fan of
  1. D_pickett
    D_pickett
    Posts: 608

    Posted 07/23/2012 11:22 AM

    Way to go, Damian! Definitely the best guard prospect in the draft (to this point). We all love it. Keep it up.
    I am a fan of
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 07/23/2012 11:33 AM

    This kid's going to be fun to watch!
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. postedbailblazers
    postedbailblazers
    Posts: 165

    Posted 07/23/2012 11:37 AM

    It's refreshing to have hope again...thanks Damian.  You just may single-handedly break us out of a 5 year funk of disappointment.
    I am a fan of rhubarb pie.
  1. SisillaRiann
    SisillaRiann
    Posts: 9

    Posted 07/23/2012 12:58 PM

    Absolutely love the two rookies! REALLY looking forward to seeing how Damian's skills transfer over :)
    I am a fan of a new era of Trail Blazer basketball!!
  1. CameraOn
    CameraOn
    Posts: 11

    Posted 07/23/2012 8:57 PM

    Posted By EowynAmarie on 07/23/2012 12:58 PM
    Absolutely love the two rookies! REALLY looking forward to seeing how Damian's skills transfer over :)

    *Three. Don't forget Will Barton, he played really well at Summer League for someone who was drafted in the second round. Give him some time and he could be one of the steals of the draft.
  1. log1011
    log1011
    Posts: 22

    Posted 07/23/2012 10:06 PM

    Don't scare him!
    I am a fan of GOOD roster decisions
  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6480

    Posted 07/24/2012 9:54 AM

    I wonder if Dame would have been named the outright MVP had he played in the final game. Next year it would be nice to not have to play three games in three nights!
    I am a fan of
  1. stacksfan2005
    stacksfan2005
    Posts: 302

    Posted 07/24/2012 2:57 PM

    here's to sole ownership of the R.O.Y. in 2012-2013
  1. Reformed
    Reformed
    Posts: 8

    Posted 07/31/2012 6:16 PM

    Lillard a baller you can trust me on that.  I used to watch son throw down sick dunks up to tha Weeb my alma mater.  Well, I didn't really graduate or nothin just went a few weeks before gettin busted and doing HARD/LONG time if ya know what I mean. 



    Anyway, after doin my time I hear bout this kid up to the school who be ballin hard and I said no effin way, ya know what I mean?  It's Weber Frickin State in the middle of nowhere, but that's where I grew up so cool I'll check it out. 



    Kid balls hard.. parties hard too but I won't say nothin bout that since I"m still on parole and don't need no relapse sentences if ya know what I mean. 

    I am a fan of the Blazers
  1. billyamick47
    billyamick47
    Posts: 107

    Posted 07/31/2012 6:44 PM

    Nothing wrong with that
  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6480

    Posted 08/01/2012 4:27 PM

    Please stick to the topic Reformed.
    I am a fan of
  1. commontongue
    commontongue
    Posts: 1436

    Posted 08/01/2012 6:39 PM

    Lillard is going to be terrific," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said.

     

    "He has a very bright future ahead of him," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He has a chance to be special."

     

    "He plays the pro game -- great speed, no hurry, knows how to play," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "He can shoot the ball, he can score when he wants to, but he also knows how to run a team. That's nice."



    I like the way these respected coaches think of our boy.
    I am a fan of Rip City Basketball
  1. commontongue
    commontongue
    Posts: 1436

    Posted 08/04/2012 6:08 PM

    Mitch Shaw of the Standard-Examiner reports that Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is confident heading into his team's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
    --------------------------------
    "I want to be rookie of the year," he said. "I want to be an All-Star in the next few years, and after that, I want to be in the Olympics in 2016."

    "I think I can take Steve Nash," a joking Lillard said. "I got Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Tony Parker after that, so I might have some rough nights with them. But Steve Nash, I think I got him."
    --------------------------------

    Lillard also is quoted as saying that his college coach's best advice was that it's impossible to please everybody.

    Update: A person present at the autograph signing who heard the comments about Nash stressed that Lillard made them in a joking manner and with a "I can hold my own" sentiment and that this wasn't meant as a "challenge" to the Lakers guard.

    I am a fan of Rip City Basketball
  1. Reformed
    Reformed
    Posts: 8

    Posted 08/06/2012 4:14 PM

    Posted By commontongue on 08/01/2012 6:39 PM

    Lillard is going to be terrific," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said.

     

    "He has a very bright future ahead of him," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He has a chance to be special."

     

    "He plays the pro game -- great speed, no hurry, knows how to play," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "He can shoot the ball, he can score when he wants to, but he also knows how to run a team. That's nice."







    I like the way these respected coaches think of our boy.




    Byron Scotch LOL holmes!  How dat numb fo' workin out?  Prolly arright, but hey homie, he ain't winnin' no summer league accolades like Big Homie Lil!
    I am a fan of the Blazers
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