Damian Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to NBA Western Conference Finals last season and cemented his already cult status within the organization. But that isn’t enough for Lillard, as All-Star guard aims for even higher goals.

In a recent interview with Billboard, Lillard said that his career goal is to be the best player that the Trailblazers franchise ever had.

“I want to be the best Trailblazer ever,” – Lillard told the magazine. “And I think, it’s bigger than basketball to me. I think, obviously, you have to have the numbers to back it up which I am already on track for. I’m second in points. I think I am top three in assists. Free throws made, three-pointers made, I’m No. 1. Like I’m up there as far as the stats. I think just continue to win.”

While you can’t argue with Lillard’s candidacy for the best Trailblazer ever, he is up against some tough competition. There is Clyde Drexler, who was eight-time All-Star with Portland and led the team to two NBA Finals appearances.  Bill Walton also has a strong case, as he is the one that brought Trail Blazers their first and only NBA title.

It is highly unlikely that Lillard becomes the unanimous best player in the franchise history even if he ends up being the team’s all-time leader in major statistical categories. But if he brings another championship to the city of Portland, there will be no doubt about his status.

The post Damian Lillard: “I Want to be the Best Trailblazer Ever” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After years of coming short, Damian Lillard managed to get the Portland Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals in 2018/19 NBA season. And now he is getting a reward for his effort.

According to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, Blazers will make Lillard one of the highest paid players in the NBA by signing him to a super-max four-year extension that is worth $196 million. The agreement includes a $54.3 million player option in the last year of this extension.

Lillard’s current deal, which he signed back in 2015, runs through the 2020-21season and pays him $61 million.

Lillard comes off a tremendous regular season in which he averaged 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals and helped Portland clinch the third spot in the West. He had even better playoff run, which saw the Trail Blazers eliminate Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets en route to Western Conference Finals where they were eliminated by Golden State Warriors.

Portland Trail Blazers drafted Damian Lillard 6^th overall in 2012 NBA Draft and he immediately made his impact on the league by winning a Rookie of the Year award in his first season in NBA. Lillard became a face of the franchise following LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure in 2015 and made a name for himself as one of the best guards in the league. He also led Portland to playoffs appearance in each of the past six years.

Lillard’s career highlights include four NBA All-Star appearances and one All-NBA First Team honor.

The post Damian Lillard Agrees to a Super-Max, $196 Million Extension with the Blazers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Damian Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to NBA Western Conference Finals last season and cemented his already cult status within the organization. But that isn’t enough for Lillard, as All-Star guard aims for even higher goals.

In a recent interview with Billboard, Lillard said that his career goal is to be the best player that the Trailblazers franchise ever had.

“I want to be the best Trailblazer ever,” – Lillard told the magazine. “And I think, it’s bigger than basketball to me. I think, obviously, you have to have the numbers to back it up which I am already on track for. I’m second in points. I think I am top three in assists. Free throws made, three-pointers made, I’m No. 1. Like I’m up there as far as the stats. I think just continue to win.”

While you can’t argue with Lillard’s candidacy for the best Trailblazer ever, he is up against some tough competition. There is Clyde Drexler, who was eight-time All-Star with Portland and led the team to two NBA Finals appearances.  Bill Walton also has a strong case, as he is the one that brought Trail Blazers their first and only NBA title.

It is highly unlikely that Lillard becomes the unanimous best player in the franchise history even if he ends up being the team’s all-time leader in major statistical categories. But if he brings another championship to the city of Portland, there will be no doubt about his status.

The post Damian Lillard: “I Want to be the Best Trailblazer Ever” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After years of coming short, Damian Lillard managed to get the Portland Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals in 2018/19 NBA season. And now he is getting a reward for his effort.

According to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, Blazers will make Lillard one of the highest paid players in the NBA by signing him to a super-max four-year extension that is worth $196 million. The agreement includes a $54.3 million player option in the last year of this extension.

Lillard’s current deal, which he signed back in 2015, runs through the 2020-21season and pays him $61 million.

Lillard comes off a tremendous regular season in which he averaged 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals and helped Portland clinch the third spot in the West. He had even better playoff run, which saw the Trail Blazers eliminate Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets en route to Western Conference Finals where they were eliminated by Golden State Warriors.

Portland Trail Blazers drafted Damian Lillard 6^th overall in 2012 NBA Draft and he immediately made his impact on the league by winning a Rookie of the Year award in his first season in NBA. Lillard became a face of the franchise following LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure in 2015 and made a name for himself as one of the best guards in the league. He also led Portland to playoffs appearance in each of the past six years.

Lillard’s career highlights include four NBA All-Star appearances and one All-NBA First Team honor.

The post Damian Lillard Agrees to a Super-Max, $196 Million Extension with the Blazers appeared first on SportzBonanza.