Damian Lillard is going to be headed to his 9th All-Star Game this weekend when the week’s festivities kick off in San Francisco, California. The reigning-All-Star Game MVP and Oakland native will be returning to the area he grew up in and is eager to put on a show. After the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Golden State Warriors on Monday, Lillard spoke about the opportunity approaching at the weekend.
Damian Lillard Remembers Attending All-Star 2000 as a Child
Monday night was a disappointing night for the Milwaukee Bucks, who lost at home to the Golden State Warriors 125-111. Although Lillard had 38 points on 12-20 shooting, he also had 10 turnovers as the Bucks dropped another game at home. After fielding questions about the team’s lack of flow on offense and poor energy in the second half, Lillard was then asked about the upcoming All-Star weekend that is going to be a historic occasion for him.
Lillard recalled attending All-Star 2000 in the Bay Area as a child, participating in the week’s festivities with his dad and his brother before watching some of his favorite players participate in the All-Star Game. 25 years later, Dame Time will be one of the stars on the court.
Lillard reminisced about his fond memories of the time before reflecting on what it means to him to be participating in the upcoming 2025 event. He called it “a special moment” and something he is “extremely proud of.”
Representing Oakland and its People Matters to Damian Lillard
Lillard said that he is excited to show out for the people in Oakland that know his story. Growing up as a under-recruited basketball player who few saw the great potential in, Lillard now returns to the area to celebrate both his own accomplishments and the city that made him.
For them to really know what I come from, and to really know like, my journey, and now I get to come back in front of all these people and it’s not just like, ‘Dame made it to the NBA,’ it’s like I’m a 9-time All-Star, and All-Star Game MVP, and Top 75 player all-time, so to be coming back home, you know, at 34, and all of these people really know, I think, that makes me look forward to it a little bit more, cause they really know, they really know I got it out the mud for real.
He elaborated on touching base with local places, such as his high school, but also acknowledged that he will be smart about making sure he doesn’t overwork himself.
One of the many community involvements Lillard is in is working with Portland State University to help young people from the East Bay get their chance for higher education through scholarships. Lillard spoke about being able to help out young people and their families with the financials of out-of-state tuition, adding that he feels “honored” to use his position to support people like himself.
All-Star 2025 is going to be an action-packed weekend of can’t-miss moments, and Damian Lillard is embracing his chance to put on for Oakland, the city that made him.
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