It has been more than a decade since All-Star guard Damian Lillard entered the NBA as a rookie for the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, the Milwaukee Bucks star has opened up how Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook bullied him during the early phase of his career.
Lillard’s journey from an overlooked college prospect to an NBA superstar is a true underdog story. Growing up in Oakland, California, Lillard faced numerous challenges but never let them deter his dreams of basketball greatness.
Despite not being heavily recruited out of high school, Lillard found success at Weber State University, where he showcased his impressive scoring ability, leadership skills, and relentless work ethic. His impressive college career caught the attention of NBA scouts, and he was selected sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Dame’s NBA debut was marked by his immediate impact, as he won the Rookie of the Year award in his first season. From that point on, he continued to improve and solidify his status as one of the league’s top point guards. His breakout season in his third year saw him earn his first All-Star selection, a significant milestone that validated his hard work and dedication.
The All-Star’s ability to hit clutch shots, his explosive scoring, and his leadership on the court have made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA. He has become the face of the Trail Blazers franchise and an inspiration to aspiring basketball players around the world, proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Damian Lillard Shares How Russell Westbrook Bullied Him Back Then
Over the years, there has been a rivalry between Lillard and former MVP Russell Westbrook, especially during the early 2010s. In an article written by Ben Stinar for Sports Illustrated’s Fastbreak, the Bucks guard detailed how the league’s triple-double leader bullied him back then.
“My first five, six years. He was the bully. They was on TV all the time. Russ, it didn’t matter if it was like a big matchup, if somebody was hurting, he was playing against the backup. He didn’t care. He tried to do it to everybody.
I just remember when I was like rookie, second year. He used to try to give me 50 every time. He would be shooting on me so much that KD would be getting mad… Once I realized that it was like that. That’s when I started taking it personal.”
At this point in time, Lillard holds a 21-18 record against Westbrook in their head-to-head matchups. Their most notable clash was in the 2019 NBA playoffs, where Dame’s Trail Blazers defeated Westbrook’s Thunder in five games.
While Westbrook is no longer an All-Star, his on-court rivalry against Lillard is still something to look forward to when the NBA returns. Add Dame’s recent confession and things will surely be more interesting between the guards while fans are going to be hyped about their upcoming match.
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