It’s been more than a decade since All-Star point guard Damian Lillard entered the NBA as a rookie with the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, the Milwaukee Bucks star has opened up about how Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook bullied him early in his career.
Lillard’s journey from underrated college prospect to NBA superstar is the true story of an outsiderGrowing up in Oakland, California, Lillard faced numerous challenges, but he never let them stop him from dreaming of basketball greatness.
Although he wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school, Lillard found success at Weber State University, where he showed impressive scoring ability, leadership skills, and a 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 Rookie of the Year honors in his first season. From there, he continued to improve and solidify his place as one of the league’s top point guards. His breakout season in year three earned him his first All-Star selection, a significant milestone that validated his tough work and dedication.
The All-Star’s ability to hit game-winning shots, explosive scoring and leadership on the court made him one of the most thrilling players to watch in the NBA. He became the face of the Trail Blazers and an inspiration to budding basketball players everywhere, proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard talks about how Russell Westbrook bullied him back then
There has been a rivalry between Lillard and former MVP Russell Westbrook for years, especially in the early 2010s. In an article written by Ben Stinar for Fastbreak on Sports IllustratedThe Bucks point guard detailed how the league’s then-triple-double leader tormented him.
“My first five, six years. He was a bully. They were on TV all the time. Russ, it didn’t matter if it was a big game, if someone was hurt, he played against the reserve. He didn’t care. He tried to do it to everybody.
I just remember when I was a rookie, sophomore year. He was always trying to get me 50. He was shooting me so much that KD would get mad… When I realized that was the case. That’s when I started taking it personally.”
At this point Lillard has Record 21-18 against Westbrook in their head-to-head matches. Their most notable clash was the 2019 NBA playoffs, where Dame’s Trail Blazers defeated Thunder Westbrook in five games.
Even though Westbrook is no longer an All-Star, his on-court rivalry with Lillard is still something to look forward to when the NBA returns. Add to that Dame’s recent confession, and things are sure to get more fascinating between the defenders as fans get excited for the upcoming matchup.
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