When Greg Anthony and Isaiah Thomas were asked to rank their top 5 point guards of the 2015 season so far, they put together two very distinct lists that included a combined 9 players. However, one name that was nowhere to be found on these lists was Damian Lillard. Portland’s all-star guard’s reaction came soon enough:
Lillard
Lillard is scoring 21.4 points per game (13th in the league), with over 46% FG percentage and just under 40% for three, 6.2 APG (15th in the league), 5 RPG (5th out of all point guards) and he is leading his team to the second spot in the extremely competitive western conference, boasting a 22-6 record.
To add to all that, what might set Lillard apart more than anything else is his unbelievable ability to deliver in the clutch. Just a few days ago he led Portland to a triple OT victory over the Spurs with 43 points, including dominating the extra periods with 16 points. That was just one of many memorable Lillard clutch performances. The most memorable to date being his series-clinching 3 point dagger against Houston in the first round of the 2014 playoffs.
In his three NBA seasons, Lillard has already hit 11 shots that have given the Blazers the lead in the last 15 seconds of the fourth quarter.
So how can a guy like Lillard, with these numbers and this unique ability to step up when it matters, not be mentioned as one of the top 9 point guards in the league?
For starters, maybe it’s because we are in a period blessed with an unbelievable supply of prodigious point guards. Looking at the table below, is there even one guy who isn’t worthy of being mentioned amongst the leagues’ elite point guards?
On the flip side, after Curry and Westbrook who are putting up phenomenal numbers above the rest, Lillard is absolutely “there”. Of the remaining point guards he is 1st in PPG, 1st in RPG, 2nd in EFG%, 3rd in PER, 4th in APG and his tam has the best record (tied with two others on the list).
So what is it that leaves Lillard out of Thomas’ and Anthony’s list?
In my opinion, one reason is that the Blazers have traditionally been a team that looks promising in the regular season and then mombs out in the playoffs. Other similar teams include the Warriors, Rockets, Hawks and Rapotors. Just last year the Blazers had a very good regular season but then barely beat the Rockets and surrendered pretty helplessly to the Spurs 1-4.
Together with teammate LaMarcus Aldridge, an aspiring MVP candidate, Lillard will have to conserve some energy so the Blazers can show up for the playoffs. As long as they continue being just a good regular season team, Lillard’s and Aldridge’s name will continue to be easier to pass up in these kinds of player rankings.
Lillard is no stranger to the feeling of being “overlooked”, and throughout his career this might have even contributed to his drive to prove himself. Lillard got to the NBA from little-known Webber State and was selected only 6th in the 2012 NBA draft before winning the 2013 Rookie of the Year award. Last summer he was waived in the last minute from the Team USA squad in favor of Derrick Rose, for reasons that were not necessarily entirely professional (was Rose really in better shape the Lillard then?), and so Lillard has come out strong this season to lead his team to battle at the top of Western conference. Judging by his response to Thomas’ and Anthony’s point guard rankings, there might have been some more fuel added to his drive to lead his team deep to a successful regular season and playoff run this season, that could get him into the elite lists.
Is this enough to turn the Blazers into bonafide contenders? In a league with so many elite point guards in the conference (and now welcoming Rajon Rondo too), if Lillard succeeds then he will really deserve a more honorable mention.
שיימס ברשת 