Biased alert!! Dame is my favourite player in the league, so obviously some opinions may come across as one-sided, but I promise, I can make a compelling argument. Having him in most of my fantasy teams has encouraged me to watch most of the Trail Blazers' games this season and it's been nothing short of exciting. (I have also found comfort in watching Dame go off especially during a period in which the Celtics have been an absolute atrocity). Now it can be argued that the likes of Joel Embiid, Lebron James and Nikola Jokic, who are all having incredible seasons, have better cases for the NBA’s MVP. However, I will state my reasons as to why you should seriously consider Damian Lillard in comparison to those guys.
His Stats.
According to Basketball Reference, Lillard is averaging 29.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. For a career, his averages are 24.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
However, those career highs came while the Blazers fought through injuries and were jostling for a play-in spot last season. The difference is that Dame is contributing to winning even more this season. The Blazers sit at the 4th seed in the West with an impressive 18-10 record, just 1 win short of the Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia 76ers who are 19-10. Lillard is also shooting 93% from the free throw line on an average of 7.4 attempts per game, his previous career high being 91 %. Dame is 3rd in the league in terms of points per game and 2nd in total points scored (805) . Lillard also ranks 10th in the league in assists, which is .5 assists less than Lebron James and 1.2 less than Jokic, who are ranked 9th and 5th respectively.
This can be overlooked however as Dame bears the majority of the scoring burden with the Blazers and is a score first player. Dame ranks 6th in player efficiency rating which is very impressive for a 6’’3 guard, as he makes most of his baskets from jump shots and contested layups. This is in comparison to Embiid and Jokic. While they do rank higher in PER, they are both over 7 feet and fully utilize their size to get easier baskets. Furthermore, Lillard has made the 3rd most 3 pointers this season, with his competitors coming nowhere close to this statistic.
Why Should Dame be Ahead of his Competitors?
If you told me that you think either one of Jokic, Embiid or Lebron should be MVP, there is
a case to be made for all of them. But here is why I believe Dame should get the nod ahead of them. There has been a debate for years as to what exactly constitutes the Most Valuable Player award. Is it wins??? Is it stats?? The real answer is none of us have the slightest of clues but we indulge in debate anyway, because I mean, it's intoxicating!!
The truth is there is no real way to quantify what being an MVP truly means. I guess my definition would be, what a player contributes to a team, statistically and intangibly, meaning leadership etc. There is no question that removing Lillard from the Trail Blazers would remove all relevance from the franchise. For some context CJ McCollum, who had been averaging 26.7 points and 5 assists per game, has been injured for 15 games now. He was also making a career high of 4.8 3s per game, more than Dame.
To pile onto the injury woes, the Blazers lost their third best player in Jusuf Nurkic, who fractured his wrist. Now take away anyone’s second and third best player and see how they fear. No problem for Dame though. According to Stat Muse since the injuries to CJ and Nurkic, the Trail Blazers have played 14 games, going 9-5 in that time span. Lillard’s averages have been a whopping 35.6 points per game, on 46 % shooting from the field and 39% from 3. He currently has helped his team to a 6 game winning streak and the Trail Blazers now hold the 5th best record in the entire NBA.
These numbers are just incredible; he is carrying his team short-handed. Joel Embiid still has his all-star teammate Ben Simmons. Lebron has had Anthony Davis for the majority of the season.(Davis has recently been injured and is out for at least 3 weeks). Jokic is putting up incredible statistics but the Nuggets are barely over .500 and are currently the 8th seed in the West.
Damian Lillard is currently finding the balance of leading his teams to wins while being statistically incredulous.
OH BTW. HE IS CLUTCH !!!
Yup, it's Dame Time. Lillard is the most clutch player in the NBA and the numbers prove it. Referencing Stat Muse, in what is considered "The Clutch" by the NBA, the last 5 minutes of a game, Damian Lillard has scored more points (82) than any other player in the NBA. Comparing players with a minimum of 15 field goal attempts, Dame has made an impossibly efficient 63.2% of his field goals. In terms of a 3 point percentage, duh, he tops that too, ahead of even Steph Curry shooting 58.8 % from 3. Even more impressively, Lillard has made 100% of his free throws in the last 5 minutes of games. (Ha, Lebron can only dream of accomplishing this). But here is where it gets interesting...
One of the biggest metrics to associate a player's impact on his team is most certainl, the number of wins. Whenever Portland are in 5 point games in the last 5-minute of games, their record is a stellar 12-3. How about that???!!!! When it comes to 'the clutch', there is no one you would rather give the ball to other than Lillard. He has struck fear into opponents in 'clutch time' so much that they have resorted to double teaming or even trying to trap him.
Dame has no problem dealing with these, as he merely shoots the ball from the logo in transition, earning him the nickname “Logo Lillard”. He also enjoys running a high pick 'n' roll to avoid getting trapped and with his limitless range, he is able to make the three quite easily from as much as 40 feet out. Below is a prime example why teams never feel safe when they leave time on the clock when Lillard has a chance to get the ball.
Ultimately, the NBA is filled with talented players and there are many candidates for the MVP race. However it is time people start putting some respect onto Dame Dolla’s name! He is a baaaaad maaaaan. His team is dealing with a shit ton of injuries and he is still carrying them to wins. He leads by example on the court with his play and his demeanor. Throughout this time you have never heard Dame complain about anything. He has risen to the challenge and it is something to be admired and lauded. This is why, if I had a vote for MVP, as of now, I would cast my ballot for Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard of Oakland, California.
We can all agree that Dame is a beast.... Definitely an mvp caliber player for sure!
I would also add that the Blazers changed their defensive scheme this season, but it’s been a real grind for them to fully integrate that setup into their game. So much so that their defence is one of the worst in the league (or at least started the season that way). So the fact that they’re still somehow able to win games still has everything to do with the offensive returns I.e. the MVP season dame is currently having
I mean... I never watched too much basketball.. but this post is sooo good that that might change 💯