Last Sunday, after a tough loss to the Dallas Mavericks, we heard Damian Lillard loud and clear when he promised that he would get the Portland Trail Blazers into the playoffs. He held true to his promise when they bounced back Wednesday to knock off those same Mavericks. Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers, he tried to do the same. With only 12 points and 4-of-14 shooting heading into the final minute, he went all “Lillard.” First, he went at Chris Paul, hitting a tough jumper while being fouled and calmly knocked down the free-throw to complete a much needed three-point play. Next time down the court, Lillard hit a step back three in what looked to be a nail in the Clipper coffin. Portland would go on to end the game with a series of plays that highlighted the inexperience that is their weakness, which resulted in a heartbreaking loss.
Portland had lost eight of its last 12 games before squeaking by the Philadelphia 76ers. Good news is a win over the Sacramento Kings, which gave Portland back-to-back victories for the first time in the month of March. However, if Portland loses to the Boston Celtics Thursday, it will finish the month below a .500 record. Compounding on the bad news is Meyers Leonard having season-ending shoulder surgery scheduled for April 8. Portland sits in sixth place in the west and is closer to missing the playoffs than it is finishing fifth.
Lillard has become known to Blazer fan as clutch. A moniker that everyone across the nation is starting to respect. Whether it be the fourth quarter of a game or season there isn’t a player that wants the ball more than him. Regardless of whether he does get Portland into the playoffs, there has been a major maturation process for this team. Blazer fan has to love seeing him turn into a leader after each heartbreaking loss. His interviews show no frustration, he continues to praise his teammates at every turn and most importantly his on-court body language reflect his words.
It’s impossible to predict if Portland will make the playoffs although I like its chances. Portland’s schedule is very favorable, riddled with subpar teams and home games. Young teams, however, falter in clutch situations. Portland is without an All-Star but have possibly the best player in its franchise history in the making. Outside of CJ McCollum, Lillard can’t expect consistent help getting into the playoffs. All I know is Blazer fan wants nothing more than seeing him with the ball in his hands down the stretch. It’s late in the fourth quarter of the 2015-2016 regular season and I can’t help but to picture Lillard pointing to his wrist, symbolically letting everyone know what time it is!
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