Even with all the talented stars playing point guard in the NBA right now, only a few can be hailed as the best of the best. In this regard, Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard is among those guys ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Lillard’s legacy in the NBA is already significant after 12 seasons, yet questions remain about how he will be remembered, especially without a championship ring. Known for his incredible clutch performances, including iconic buzzer-beaters, Lillard has made a mark with his scoring ability and leadership on the court.
Drafted sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, Lillard quickly established himself by winning the Rookie of the Year award. His early impact helped revive a franchise that had struggled in the playoffs for over a decade. Throughout his career, he consistently showcased his scoring prowess, culminating in a career-high 71 points in a game, and he often led his team to the postseason despite limited support.
Lillard’s partnership with LaMarcus Aldridge was pivotal early on, but after Aldridge’s departure, he faced the challenge of carrying the team largely on his own. Though he made multiple All-Star teams and earned All-NBA honors, he often found himself overshadowed by contemporaries like Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard Ranked Among Best Point Guards in NBA
Although the league has seen a rise in talented point guards, Lillard still holds the distinction of being one of the best guys to play that position. According to Hoops Hype’s Frank Urbina, the Bucks star is currently the eighth-best in the league right now.
“2022-23 was a year of change for Damian Lillard, who had to acclimate to not just being on a team other than the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time in his career, but also had to do so for a Milwaukee Bucks squad in which he wasn’t the team’s best player. Lillard hasn’t been a team’s second-best player since early on in his career when he’d play some Robin to LaMarcus Aldridge’s Batman and even then, Aldridge wasn’t as ball-dominant – or as good – as former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is.
As such, Lillard struggled to an extent, posting the third-worst VORP and BPM of his career while averaging 24.3 points and 7.0 assists on 42.4 percent shooting from the floor. It speaks to how brilliant Lillard has been in his career that those numbers are seen as a drop-off in play for him. What was concerning was seeing Lillard’s three-point percentage falter to 35.4 percent from the floor last season, also the third-worst mark of his career,” Urbina wrote.
In 2023, Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, a move that offered him a fresh start and a chance to compete for a title alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, injuries hampered their playoff run in 2024. Even if that’s the case, the All-Star point guard still put up big numbers during the regular season and the playoffs.
Ultimately, Lillard’s legacy is defined by his dedication to the game and his resilience. Even without a championship, his impact on the court and his memorable moments will ensure he is remembered as one of the game’s greats, with his number hanging high in Portland as a testament to his contributions.
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