Damian Lillard humbly believes he’s greatest Trail Blazer of all time. What do you think? Is he?
February 21, 2023
Damian Lillard humbly believes he’s greatest Trail Blazer of all time. What do you think? Is he?
45 comments
I think it’s between him and Clyde and it’s very very close. Clyde has the slightly better resume at this point because of his defensive prowess and having played for stronger teams that made the playoffs more often and the Finals twice. I still think Dame has the slight edge as best of all time and has plenty of time to further pad his resume.
Portland Trailblazers co-owner Damian Lillard
Yes
Yes. Yes I do.
Between the leadership, the numbers and the love for the city, I think he takes it. I don’t think you’re crazy for disagreeing with me though.
No, no he is not.
Easily the GOAT
In other words the sky is blue.
center Sam Bowie second overall, entered the chat
Yes because Clyde thinks of himself as a Rocket and Bill Walton didn’t have the longevity + the horrible split with us. I think if Dame were to win a ring not on Portland, he would *still* be a Blazer first. Drexler, at best, probably thinks of himself at 50:50.
ETA: Dame *should* be passing him in WS (with Portland obv) next season. The team success in the playoffs isn’t there but Drexler also had much better teams around him.
As individuals, Dame should be ahead of him by the time his career as a Blazer is over, whenever that may be.
Yes
Yes.
Dame can talk loyalty how ever much he wants but has dame come back to the blazers time after time?
Steve Blake is the only correct answer
Fuck yes he is
We use to say our was Clyde because he had the scoring. Dame has scored more, means more to Portland, and is the better leader. Oh and is loyal AF
Yes.
Yes.
For now. His greatest Blazer position is carried on loyalty and numbers. If we were to miss the playoffs and he asked for a trade it would probably get murky.
Walton, Clyde, and Sheed all have had greater success in terms of taking their teams further. They all were arguably as impactful to the game.
I hope the front office surrounds Dame with some complementary talent so it becomes indisputable.
God this question is so played out. Who cares. Love Dame and all but why is this constantly talked about?
Yes
Yes and there’s no real debate
Yes
Yah
It’s hard for me. How do we define the word “greatest?” Is Dame the best player of all time to put on a Blazer jersey? Probably not. Walton, Drexler, and Pippen are above him there.
Do we define greatness as the person that has accomplished and been decorated the most? Because if so then Walton is the only one that has brought a title to Portland.
Yet part of me still wants to say it’s Dame. If he could bring a ring here it really wouldn’t be a debate. But I feel like until he does Walton will always have a strong argument in his favour.
It’s close with Clyde, but I do think Dame has managed to pass him. If Dame makes a finals with the Blazers, then there’s no question.
WTH with this question anymore? Isn’t this pretty much common knowledge at this point?
Now if he left, people might start asking questions. But that’s how it goes.
If his career ended today yes. People want to bring in Clydes playoff resume into discusssion but thats using a team accomplishment in player vs player discussion. Almost the entire starting line up and rotation were all all stars all within the prime athletic windows of their career. Until you see Dame with a roster like that and fail, you shouldnt be using that as an argument
That’s an easy bet.
Obviously yes
Yes.
When all is said and done, he will hold basically every franchise record a guard can.
Other contenders:
Walton: Longevity.
Drexler: Has abandoned Portland and Dame is coming for or got most of his records. Playoff success is there, but it’s hard to say the lack of playoff success is Dames fault.
Porter: Never the best player on his team.
Roy: Longevity.
Aldridge: The horrible situation with him leaving and he just doesn’t have the consistent numbers.
McCollum: Never the best player on his team.
Honestly, if Roy hadn’t gotten hurt I think he’d give Dame a run for his money the most.
And now I wish we could have seem a Lillard/Roy backcourt.
Yes
No doubt
idk it’s close.. but big red fucked around and won a championship
Well yeah, though someone might want to ask Bill Walton to make it official
He is,. what’s the issue?
He is the GOAT Blazer. He is not the most gifted athletic star (Cylde), the toughest (Sheed), or the best all-around player (Walton). But he is the best Blazer ever, hands down.
It’s between him and Chris Kaman but I think Dame has a slight edge
Yes
No, Greg Oden is.
I think so, but not the best player in the franchise’s history. Important distinction.
I personally feel Bill Schonely is the greatest Trailblazer of all time, but if we are only talking players, IT’S DAME TIME and it’s silly this is even being debated!
Right now, its razor thin but not for me.
Drexler was 6’7, hyper athletic, could shoot it and play strong defense. Contended for the title more than once. The man was second to Jordan for a bit there.
Dame has Drexler beat in the community for sure.
Do I think Dame will be, yes.
Retire in Portland or get to the finals and its locked. So I’m not really worried about him in this regard.
If the question is, “who showed the most individual greatness while wearing a Blazers jersey?” then Dame is clearly the GBOAT. But if the question is, “who is the greatest player to ever wear a Blazers jersey?” then I think there’s another name that should at least be mentioned in the conversation, though I think it still comes down to Dame and Clyde: Sabonis.
By the time he came to Portland, his best days were well behind him, but we still got to watch a basically immobile big man dazzle us pinpoint passing, a deadly hook shot, and next level basketball IQ and court awareness. Quoth Bill Walton, “He could do everything. He had the skills of Larry Bird and Pete Maravich. He had the athleticism of Kareem and he could shoot the 3-point shot. He could pass, run the floor, dribble.” He was probably the best player on three Olympic medaling teams.
Bonus points for being so loyal to Portland that he said if he was ever traded, he’d just retire, and for being part of the last Blazers team that had a real shot at a ring (before the playoff implosion that shall not be discussed).
I don’t think Lillard is yet. He could overtake Clyde but in my opinion he has to get the Blazers to the NBA Finals at least once. Clyde left after 12 years. Lillard is in his 11th season so their tenures are as comparable as they’ll ever be.
Lillard’s career stats are 25 pts, 6.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds. And of course he has RANGE.
Those are better, somewhat, than Clyde’s career averages of 20.4 ppg, 5.6 assists, 6.1 rebounds. Presumably Lillard’s stats may taper off at the end of his career. Obviously the caveat of different eras is worth considering here.
Clyde was an All-Star 10 times, a Dream Teamer and named one of the 50 Best Players in NBA History. Lillard is a 7 time All-Star, 3 point champion, Olympian, and one of the best 75 players. That’s pretty much a wash.
But Clyde led the Blazers to the NBA Finals twice, falling short only to the Bad Boys and MJ. He also still holds NBA records for most steals in a half (8) and most offensive rebounds for a guard (career). He also had 13 steals in a playoff game! He was also a much better defender than Lillard, which does matter.
So, in my opinion, Clyde had the individual and the team success to still be the number one Blazer. Lillard has a chance to catch up with him, but as Brandon Roy reminds us, the future is uncertain.
Spiritually and in terms of community involvement, Lillard’s the greatest Blazer of all time. Clyde was the better overall talent and accomplished significantly more on the basketball court. Clyde’s better teammates are a legitimate argument against him, but most of the advanced stats show he was a better two-way player than Dame.
Let the downvotes commence.
People add their feelings into this conversation way too much. What matters is what they did on the court. Clyde “being a dick” after is literally irrelevant. Both Walton and Drexler have better playoff success. Dame needs to win a ring for us, then he will be the best blazer.
I’m old and I remember the Big Redhead being, for 18 months, one of the greatest centers in NBA History. Hands down the best passing center in NBA history. Won a chip, Finals MVP, and NBA MVP.
I hate making player comparisons because different eras, different teams, different coaches, different situations. But for sheer accomplishments, there’s Walton (listed earlier), Drexler (2 NBA Finals, 2nd MVP 1992), and then I’ll take Dame over Roy, Rasheed, Lucas, and LaMarcus.
45 comments
I think it’s between him and Clyde and it’s very very close. Clyde has the slightly better resume at this point because of his defensive prowess and having played for stronger teams that made the playoffs more often and the Finals twice. I still think Dame has the slight edge as best of all time and has plenty of time to further pad his resume.
Portland Trailblazers co-owner Damian Lillard
Yes
Yes. Yes I do.
Between the leadership, the numbers and the love for the city, I think he takes it. I don’t think you’re crazy for disagreeing with me though.
No, no he is not.
Easily the GOAT
In other words the sky is blue.
center Sam Bowie second overall, entered the chat
Yes because Clyde thinks of himself as a Rocket and Bill Walton didn’t have the longevity + the horrible split with us. I think if Dame were to win a ring not on Portland, he would *still* be a Blazer first. Drexler, at best, probably thinks of himself at 50:50.
ETA: Dame *should* be passing him in WS (with Portland obv) next season. The team success in the playoffs isn’t there but Drexler also had much better teams around him.
As individuals, Dame should be ahead of him by the time his career as a Blazer is over, whenever that may be.
Yes
Yes.
Dame can talk loyalty how ever much he wants but has dame come back to the blazers time after time?
Steve Blake is the only correct answer
Fuck yes he is
We use to say our was Clyde because he had the scoring. Dame has scored more, means more to Portland, and is the better leader. Oh and is loyal AF
Yes.
Yes.
For now. His greatest Blazer position is carried on loyalty and numbers. If we were to miss the playoffs and he asked for a trade it would probably get murky.
Walton, Clyde, and Sheed all have had greater success in terms of taking their teams further. They all were arguably as impactful to the game.
I hope the front office surrounds Dame with some complementary talent so it becomes indisputable.
God this question is so played out. Who cares. Love Dame and all but why is this constantly talked about?
Yes
Yes and there’s no real debate
Yes
Yah
It’s hard for me. How do we define the word “greatest?” Is Dame the best player of all time to put on a Blazer jersey? Probably not. Walton, Drexler, and Pippen are above him there.
Do we define greatness as the person that has accomplished and been decorated the most? Because if so then Walton is the only one that has brought a title to Portland.
Yet part of me still wants to say it’s Dame. If he could bring a ring here it really wouldn’t be a debate. But I feel like until he does Walton will always have a strong argument in his favour.
It’s close with Clyde, but I do think Dame has managed to pass him. If Dame makes a finals with the Blazers, then there’s no question.
WTH with this question anymore? Isn’t this pretty much common knowledge at this point?
Now if he left, people might start asking questions. But that’s how it goes.
If his career ended today yes. People want to bring in Clydes playoff resume into discusssion but thats using a team accomplishment in player vs player discussion. Almost the entire starting line up and rotation were all all stars all within the prime athletic windows of their career. Until you see Dame with a roster like that and fail, you shouldnt be using that as an argument
That’s an easy bet.
Obviously yes
Yes.
When all is said and done, he will hold basically every franchise record a guard can.
Other contenders:
Walton: Longevity.
Drexler: Has abandoned Portland and Dame is coming for or got most of his records. Playoff success is there, but it’s hard to say the lack of playoff success is Dames fault.
Porter: Never the best player on his team.
Roy: Longevity.
Aldridge: The horrible situation with him leaving and he just doesn’t have the consistent numbers.
McCollum: Never the best player on his team.
Honestly, if Roy hadn’t gotten hurt I think he’d give Dame a run for his money the most.
And now I wish we could have seem a Lillard/Roy backcourt.
Yes
No doubt
idk it’s close.. but big red fucked around and won a championship
Well yeah, though someone might want to ask Bill Walton to make it official
He is,. what’s the issue?
He is the GOAT Blazer. He is not the most gifted athletic star (Cylde), the toughest (Sheed), or the best all-around player (Walton). But he is the best Blazer ever, hands down.
It’s between him and Chris Kaman but I think Dame has a slight edge
Yes
No, Greg Oden is.
I think so, but not the best player in the franchise’s history. Important distinction.
I personally feel Bill Schonely is the greatest Trailblazer of all time, but if we are only talking players, IT’S DAME TIME and it’s silly this is even being debated!
Right now, its razor thin but not for me.
Drexler was 6’7, hyper athletic, could shoot it and play strong defense. Contended for the title more than once. The man was second to Jordan for a bit there.
Dame has Drexler beat in the community for sure.
Do I think Dame will be, yes.
Retire in Portland or get to the finals and its locked. So I’m not really worried about him in this regard.
If the question is, “who showed the most individual greatness while wearing a Blazers jersey?” then Dame is clearly the GBOAT. But if the question is, “who is the greatest player to ever wear a Blazers jersey?” then I think there’s another name that should at least be mentioned in the conversation, though I think it still comes down to Dame and Clyde: Sabonis.
By the time he came to Portland, his best days were well behind him, but we still got to watch a basically immobile big man dazzle us pinpoint passing, a deadly hook shot, and next level basketball IQ and court awareness. Quoth Bill Walton, “He could do everything. He had the skills of Larry Bird and Pete Maravich. He had the athleticism of Kareem and he could shoot the 3-point shot. He could pass, run the floor, dribble.” He was probably the best player on three Olympic medaling teams.
Bonus points for being so loyal to Portland that he said if he was ever traded, he’d just retire, and for being part of the last Blazers team that had a real shot at a ring (before the playoff implosion that shall not be discussed).
I don’t think Lillard is yet. He could overtake Clyde but in my opinion he has to get the Blazers to the NBA Finals at least once. Clyde left after 12 years. Lillard is in his 11th season so their tenures are as comparable as they’ll ever be.
Lillard’s career stats are 25 pts, 6.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds. And of course he has RANGE.
Those are better, somewhat, than Clyde’s career averages of 20.4 ppg, 5.6 assists, 6.1 rebounds. Presumably Lillard’s stats may taper off at the end of his career. Obviously the caveat of different eras is worth considering here.
Clyde was an All-Star 10 times, a Dream Teamer and named one of the 50 Best Players in NBA History. Lillard is a 7 time All-Star, 3 point champion, Olympian, and one of the best 75 players. That’s pretty much a wash.
But Clyde led the Blazers to the NBA Finals twice, falling short only to the Bad Boys and MJ. He also still holds NBA records for most steals in a half (8) and most offensive rebounds for a guard (career). He also had 13 steals in a playoff game! He was also a much better defender than Lillard, which does matter.
So, in my opinion, Clyde had the individual and the team success to still be the number one Blazer. Lillard has a chance to catch up with him, but as Brandon Roy reminds us, the future is uncertain.
Spiritually and in terms of community involvement, Lillard’s the greatest Blazer of all time. Clyde was the better overall talent and accomplished significantly more on the basketball court. Clyde’s better teammates are a legitimate argument against him, but most of the advanced stats show he was a better two-way player than Dame.
Let the downvotes commence.
People add their feelings into this conversation way too much. What matters is what they did on the court. Clyde “being a dick” after is literally irrelevant. Both Walton and Drexler have better playoff success. Dame needs to win a ring for us, then he will be the best blazer.
I’m old and I remember the Big Redhead being, for 18 months, one of the greatest centers in NBA History. Hands down the best passing center in NBA history. Won a chip, Finals MVP, and NBA MVP.
I hate making player comparisons because different eras, different teams, different coaches, different situations. But for sheer accomplishments, there’s Walton (listed earlier), Drexler (2 NBA Finals, 2nd MVP 1992), and then I’ll take Dame over Roy, Rasheed, Lucas, and LaMarcus.