DAMIAN LILLARD

Damian Lillard Open To Blazers Return

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Damian Lillard has revealed that he would be open to returning to the Portland Trail Blazers in the future. “Because of how I feel about Portland. How I feel about the organization here and my time that I spent here, in my mind I’ve always felt like that’s how my career would end. Right now, I’m just in a space of like, this is where I am now. I’m in Milwaukee. I wanted the opportunity to contend, and our team has an opportunity to contend for this year and years to come. And I’m just living in that. But I definitely, when I was traded, I see a day where I’ll be in a Trail Blazer uniform again before I’m done,” Lillard said. Lillard and the Bucks were playing their first game in Portland since acquiring Lillard in the biggest trade of the offseason.

However, despite giving Lillard a one-minute standing ovation when he was announced, the Blazers did not go easy on the Bucks. Lillard had 25 points but a last-second floater from Afernee Simmons sealed a 119-116 victory for the home team. The loss meant the Bucks have now lost three of their last four. It’s has not been an ideal start to the tenure of Doc Rivers, who was seen as a better championship coaching option to ousted first-year head coach Adrian Griffin.

Read More: Shaq Didn’t Know About Damian Lillard Involvement On “Shaq & Kobe”

Damian Lillard Respects Tyrese Haliburton’s “Dame Time” Celebration

Meanwhile, Lillard has had plenty to say while adjusting to life in the Eastern Conference. In December, he said he had no issue with the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton copping his signature “Dame Time” celebration. “I learned as a kid, when you dish it out, you’ve got to be willing to take it. For as many times as I’ve done it to people, I can’t be upset when somebody else does it. You know what I mean,” Lillard said.

“I think that’s also a sign of respect and acknowledgment for knowing my history and knowing what I do. I didn’t mind it. It was what it was. I’ve also known that, you know, when you are having your moment, it’s important to be careful. Be humble in your moments because you just never know how the tables are going to turn or when they are going to turn. I respected it. We shook hands after the game. I wasn’t moved by it left or right,” he continued.

Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Damian Lillard Will Have No Problem Sharing The Ball, Bucks Star Claims

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SOURCE SPORTS: Damian Lillard Drops 25 but Loses in Return to Portland

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Damian Lillard Drops 25 but Loses in Return to Portland

Damian Lillard made his first visit to his former team, the Portland Trailblazers, as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. During the pregame announcement, the city showed they still had plenty of love for Dame Time during pregame introductions and a moving halftime tribute.

The Blazers got the best of the Bucks for the game, winning 119-116. Lillard has 25 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in his return.

After the game, Lillard revealed he never knew where the visitor’s locker room was in the Blazers arena while leaving a door open for a return to the franchise in the future.

“Because of how I feel about Portland,” Lillard said. “How I feel about the organization here and my time that I spent here, in my mind I’ve always felt like that’s how my career would end.

“Right now, I’m just in a space of like, this is where I am now. I’m in Milwaukee. I wanted the opportunity to contend, and our team has an opportunity to contend for this year and years to come, and I’m just living in that. But I definitely, when I was traded, I see a day where I’ll be in a Trail Blazer uniform again before I’m done.”

You can see the highlights from Lillard’s performance below.

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Shaq Didn’t Know About Damian Lillard Involvement On “Shaq & Kobe”

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Shaq didn’t know that Damian Lillard was going to be involved in the remix of “Shaq & Kobe” by Rick Ross and Meek Mill. “Rick sent it to me first, so I didn’t even have his permission. So, I just looped it and I went in and I was like, ‘I hope you like it.’ And I sent it to him. He said, ‘Man, you did that fast.’ So, then he hit me back, ‘Can I use it?’ And I was like, ‘Sure.’ And then he got really too professional on me — he started sending paperwork. I said, ‘Bro, you don’t need to. I don’t want no money.’ I’m like, ‘Rick, I don’t want nothing, bro.’ I’m just thankful for the opportunity to be on the song. And then when I heard Dame on it, I was like, ‘Mother effer, mother effer,’” Shaq told The Hollywood Reporter.

Shaq and Lillard have had a light-hearted beef for the last few years. They traded diss tracks in recent years as they compete for the title of “best rapper/athlete”. “In the rap game, I take it personal when they say somebody else is better than me and [you know] the name I’m talking about. So listen, I love him, good friend of mine, but I have to make sure they say, ‘Shaq is the best rapper/athlete ever.’ Ain’t no ‘Shaq and…’ Look, it’s just all fun. I don’t want to be a rapper. I tried it and the money, it was cool, but I was making more money doing other things. It’s just to drop something, go viral, read the comments,” the Hall of Famer continued in his interview with THR.

Read More: Shaq Speaks On Retiring League-Wide Jersey Retirements

Magic Announce Shaq Jersey Retirement

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic recently announced that Shaq’s jersey will be the first to be retired by the team. “On behalf of the DeVos family and myself and all of us here at the Orlando Magic, we want to congratulate you as we make you the first jersey number retired in the history of the Orlando Magic. You had a great career here at the beginning of your career and we had some great times!” Magic CEO Alex Martins told Shaq on Inside the NBA. Furthermore, the jersey retirement is set for February 13.

Shaq was the Magic’s first-overall pick in the 1992 Draft and helped turn the team into a serious contender in the mid-90s. Addtionally, that included a Finals run in 1995, Shaq’s third season in the league. However, Shaq’s time in Orlando would only last until 1996 when he joined the Lakers in free agency. Shaq would later say that he felt like a “big fish in a dried-up pond” in Orlando. After leaving the Magic, Shaq would go on to win four NBA titles – three with the Lakers and one with the Heat.

Read More: Shaq Sides With Giannis Antetokounmpo In Pacers Game Ball Dispute

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Damian Lillard Respects Tyrese Haliburton’s “Dame Time” Celebration

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Damian Lillard told reporters he had no problem with Tyrese Haliburton hitting his iconic “Dame Time” celebration against him. “I learned as a kid, when you dish it out, you’ve got to be willing to take it. For as many times as I’ve done it to people, I can’t be upset when somebody else does it, you know what I mean. I think that’s also a sign of respect and acknowledgment for knowing my history and knowing what I do. I didn’t mind it. It was what it was. I’ve also known that, you know, when you are having your moment, it’s important to be careful, to be humble in your moments because you just never know how the tables are going to turn or when they are going to turn. I respected it. We shook hands after the game. I wasn’t moved by it left or right,” Lillard said.

Haliburton hit the celebration late in the Pacers’ win over the Bucks in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament. Haliburton, who is already generating plenty of MVP hype, was once again white-hot against Milwaukee. He had a team-high 25 points, also adding 15 assists to the stat sheet as the Pacers won by nine. They will face the Lakers in the tournament final on Saturday.

Read More: Jayson Tatum Rails Against In-Season Tournament Tiebreaker

Zion Williamson Admits To Bad Performance

However, it was a less successful night for Zion Williamson on the other side of the bracket. He put up just 13/2/3 in the Pelicans’ 44-point blowout loss to the Lakers. Despite this, Williamson was the first to admit that he didn’t play his best game. “I got to be better. I got to be more aggressive, finding my shot. And I got to do more things to get my team going. I think I was too laid-back tonight, and I just can’t do that. And defensively I got to be better,” Williamson said.

On the other side of the ball, LeBron James had one of his biggest games of the year. LeBron looked ageless as he put up 30/5/8 to power the Lakers into the title game against Indiana. However, that’s now two games in a row that Williamson has struggled to break double digits. In the Pels’ quarterfinal win over Sacramento, Williamson was held to just 10 points. “I have a problem where I literally just try to hunt the best shot possible every time, but my teammates, they expect more from me. I expect more from myself. But I got to just trust my game. I just got to be more aggressive. I think if I’m more aggressive that energy will definitely carry over,” Williamson added.

Read More: Charles Barkley Roasts The Warriors While Interviewing Their Former GM

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jimmy Butler and Damian Lillard Link Up Ahead of Bucks-HEAT Game

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Jimmy Butler to Coach Spoelstra in Closing Moments: 'Let Me Be That Guy'

Jimmy Butler and Damian Lillard came across each other for the first time since Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Lillard long wanted to be traded to Butler’s Miami HEAT, but his wish was not granted. NBA cameras caught the two coming across each other at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee before the game.

The Bucks won 122-114. Lillard had 25 points, Giannis Antentokounmpo added 33. Butler had 13 points.

In September, Jimmy Butler joked about wanting the NBA’s version of a RICO opened on the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks landed Damian Lillard in a trade, a deal that long thought would send the point guard to the Miami HEAT. The other teams in the deal are the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. The Blazers will receive Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Milwaukee’s 2029 unprotected 1st-round draft pick, and unprotected Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2030.

The Suns recieved Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson.

Hitting social media, Butler wants the NBA to look into the Bucks. Although, it could just be a joke to the moment.

“Yo NBA man, y’all need to look into the Bucks for tampering,” Butler said. “Y’all didn’t hear it from me, but I heard it from somebody.”

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Jimmy Butler and Damian Lillard Link Up Ahead of Bucks-HEAT Game first appeared on The Source.

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Damian Lillard & Giannis Antetokounmpo Begin Bucks Partnership With Win

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Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 62 points as the Bucks opened their NBA campaign with a 118-117 win over Philadelphia. Giannis added 13 rebounds while Lillard added eight of his own. However, the Dame-Giannis tandem was really the only thing the Bucks had going for them on opening night. Only two other Bucks, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, reached double-digit points. However, the game showed the potency of what the newly formed partnership could achieve.

Meanwhile, the Sixers will be kicking themselves not to come away with a win. Four players surpassed 20 points, with Tyrese Maxey leading the team with 31. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid added 24, while Tobias Harris put up 20. The Sixers also got 27 from Kelly Oubre Jr., who played 32 minutes off the bench. However, the game was overshadowed by the absence of James Harden. Earlier in the day, it had been reported that Harden had tried to board the team flight to Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon. It’s another kick in the teeth to team harmony, especially with the news that the Clippers will no longer pursue a trade for Harden.

Read More: Victor Wembanyama Impresses In NBA Debut

Dame & Giannis Shine But Concerns Remain

There is a lot to say about the debut of the Dame-Giannis tandem. The pair put up 62 points. However, did the Bucks sell the farm for the sake of a new tractor? New head coach Adrian Griffin played a short bench despite struggles across the board beyond the superstar tandem. Khris Middleton had six points in 19 minutes as he rehabs from injury. Malik Beasley had 5 points and 4 defensive rebounds in 31 minutes.

Next up for Milwaukee is Atlanta, a playoff hopeful who dropped their season opener to Charlotte. Meanwhile, the Sixers are headed to Toronto to face the rebuilding Raptors. It will serve as a rematch for new head coach Nick Nurse, who was fired by Toronto during the offseason. Hopefully, they can find a win before they return to Philly for their home opener against Portland, and a reunion with the waiting Harden.

Read More: Rich Paul Claims He Would Be One Of The Best Shooters In The NBA, Compares Himself To Steph Curry

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SOURCE SPORTS: Damian Lillard Makes History in Milwaukee Bucks Debut

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Damian Lillard Makes History in Milwaukee Bucks Debut

On Thursday night (Oct. 26) Damian Lillard showed exactly why the Milwaukee Bucks traded for him. With four minutes left in the game and the Bucks down two, Logo Lillard exploded for 14 points to lead the Bucks to a 118-117 win.

Lillard finished the game with 39 points, setting a franchise record for most points in a Bucks debut. His new all-star teammate Giannis Antentokounmpo added 23 points and 13 boards, also making history by passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most field goals made in Bucks history.

On the losing side of the ball was Tyrese Maxey bringing in 31 points and eight assists, to aid Joel Embiid’s 24 points and seven rebounds.

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Terry Stotts, Damian Lillard’s Former Head Coach, Resigns As Bucks Assistant

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Terry Stotts, who worked with Damian Lillard as the Trail Blazers head coach for nine years, has resigned as an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks. Stotts joined the coaching staff assembled by new Bucks coach Adrian Griffin earlier this year. Furthermore, it was Stotts’ first coaching role since parting ways with the Blazers in 2021. However, he announced his decision to leave Milwaukee before the season began. No reason has been given for Stotts’ departure, nor is it clear whether Griffin will seek a replacement.

Additionally, the move comes just a few weeks after Stotts was reunited with Lillard, by far the best player on the team during his Blazers tenure. The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Blazers in the biggest trade of the offseason, working with the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal to land Giannis’ new tandem partner. Stotts and Lillard won 402 games together and made eight playoff appearances. However, it’s unknown if Lillard’s presence in Milwaukee contributed in any way to Stotts’ departure.

Read More: Damian Lillard Reveals Blazers Made Him Fake Injury For Better Draft Pick

Giannis And Lillard Mixed In First Outings

Bucks fans got their first look at the Giannis-Lillard pairing earlier this week as the tandem made their debut against the Lakers in a preseason matchup. They combined for 30 points and 10 rebounds with Giannis playing 15 minutes and Lillard playing 22. Their second outing against the Thunder wasn’t as magical. Lillard was held to 5 points in 25 minutes, including a dismal 0-5 mark from three. Giannis fared better, putting up a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) in 25 minutes. So far, the pair have gone 1-1 in the preseason, with a game against the Grizzlies on Friday.

Hopefully, all the kinks will be worked out before the Bucks open the regular season against the Sixers next week. On paper, the tandem should be perfect. Giannis at least has absolutely no concerns about an offensive “competition” according to comments he made over the weekend. “We’re going to let Dame be Dame. There won’t be any competition. He will have the ball more,” Giannis said from the Bucks training camp earlier this month.

Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo Excited For Damian Lillard Tandem, Sad To Lose Jrue Holiday

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Giannis Antetokounmpo & Damian Lillard Will Have No Problem Sharing The Ball, Bucks Star Claims

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One of the questions that was raised when Damian Lillard was traded to the Bucks was how he would fit into an offense that already boasted Giannis Antetokounmpo. Well Giannis at least has absolutely no concerns about an offensive “competition” according to comments he made over the weekend. “We’re going to let Dame be Dame. There won’t be any competition. He will have the ball more,” Giannis said from the Bucks training camp.

In theory, this should be one of the most dominant pairings in NBA history. Both are elite players in their own right. However, they have also have skill sets that complement the other. Lillard will stretch the floor unlike any teammate Giannis has had in Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Giannis will pressure the interior unlike any teammate Lillard ever had in Portland. Providing they both stay healthy, this is an S-tier tandem and the rest of the league should be very scared. And that’s before it became very clear that Giannis is happy to cede his traditional role to Lillard for the sake of team balance.

Read More: Damian Lillard Files For Divorce From Wife Kay’La

Giannis Excited For Lillard, Sad To Lose Holiday

Giannis broke his silence on the trade a couple days after it happened at the end of last month. For the Greek-born star, it’s a bittersweet acquisition. “Jrue [Holiday] is my fucking brother for life. I love his family, I love him. I appreciate him and I wish him nothing but the best. He blessed me with a fucking championship. He’s the one who made that huge steal in Game 5 of the Finals. I went to battle with him multiple times. Fuck basketball. Fuck the media shit. This guy is my brother for life, and it’s always going to be like that. He’s going to thrive wherever he ends up,” Giannis told Bleacher Report.

However, that isn’t to say that he isn’t excited to play with Dame. “Now at the same time, I’m excited to have Dame. He gives us a chance to win a championship. I’m excited to play with the caliber of player that he is. He can score the ball in his sleep and shoot the lights out. It’s a bittersweet day for the city of Milwaukee. You get Dame, who is a great player, but you lose a great guy. Jrue took us to the promised land. I’m 10 years in now. I know it’s a business. At the end of the day, Jrue will alway be be my brother for life. He’s one of the best human beings I’ve been around. But we’ve got to focus on the goal to win the championship. Dame wants this. He’s hungry to win, and he’s going to push us. I’m very happy to have him on our team.” That appears to have only grown over the course of training camp.

Read More: Shaq Doubles Down On His Status As The Greatest Athlete Rapper, Still Shows Love To Damian Lillard

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Damian Lillard Files For Divorce From His Wife

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Damian Lillard Files For Divorce From His Wife

Damian Lillard has another breakup on his hands aside from his basketball relationship with the Portland Trailblazers. According to The Wilmette Week, Logo Lillard is going through a divorce.

The Portland-based publication states Lillard filed for divorce from his wife Kay’La Lillard on Oct. 2. Together, the two shared three children. The divorce follows Lillard’s trade to the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month.

The two have been dating since attending Weber State University in Utah, wedding in Sept. 2021. Lillard cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their divorce, leading to an “irremediable breakdown.” The two have seemingly been split since Dec. 2022 as Kay’La moved into a $2.6 million home and Damian remained in the $7.7 million mansion.

In a statement, Lillard’s attorney Shawn Menashe said, “Damian and his family ask that their privacy be respected during this sensitive time and presently have no further comment.”

The post Damian Lillard Files For Divorce From His Wife first appeared on The Source.

The post Damian Lillard Files For Divorce From His Wife appeared first on The Source.