Amidst the ongoing discussions and speculations about Damian Lillard’s future with the Portland Trail Blazers, the star point guard recently made headlines for jumping into the debate about NBA teams referring to themselves as “world champions.”
Lillard’s comments on this topic come at a time when his future with the Blazers has been a subject of intense scrutiny, with trade rumors circulating in the NBA community. As one of the league’s premier talents, Lillard’s perspective the matters carries significant weight to his fans and admirers.
Damian Lillard jumps in on NBA ‘world champions’ debate
Team USA, comprised only of NBA players, fell short of capturing the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Irrespective of the outcome, Dame D.O.L.L.A. stays consistent in his views on the continuing argument over whether NBA champions should be considered “world champions.”
Despite Team USA’s fourth-place finish in Manila, Lillard feels the NBA champions deserve the honor of the “world champions” designation. The Portland Trail Blazers great supported this point of view in a recent episode of the “Back On Figg” podcast, arguing that sending the best NBA team on a global tour that included other top leagues would result in their domination.
This debate was started by US Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles, who questioned the NBA’s use of the term “world champions” for its titleholders. Lyles expressed his displeasure during the World Athletics Championships last month.
"The NBA champs is world champs… If you take the best team in the NBA and just send them on a tour to play in the best leagues everywhere else, they getting smoked… I don't understand what the debate is."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 19, 2023
—Damian Lillard
(via @backonfigg / YT)pic.twitter.com/Jdls4Ep3YV
Dame D.O.L.L.A. acknowledges outstanding accomplishments by non-NBA players in international competitions, but emphasizes that the NBA’s level of competition remains unrivaled. While few would deny an NBA team’s global supremacy, the lack of a worldwide tournament that confirms that superiority motivates the ongoing controversy about the “world champions” title.
Tensions rising between Heats and Blazers for Damian Lillard trade
The NBA season is rapidly approaching, yet the unresolved saga of Dame’s trade request lingers. Lillard, despite his desire to play for the Miami Heat, remains with the Portland Trail Blazers and the two teams haven’t yet found common ground for a deal.
The Miami Heat are ‘daring’ the Portland Trailblazers to find a better trade for Damian Lillard in the marketplace, per Woj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 19, 2023
“[The Miami Heat] want Damian Lillard. They just want him for as little as they're going to have to give up and they're essentially daring Portland to go… pic.twitter.com/OxyhoTlV1V
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat are the primary suitor for Dame D.O.L.L.A. but are unwilling to offer more than they deem necessary. They are essentially challenging Portland to explore other trade options, which the Trail Blazers have indeed been doing.
“You don’t want the same thing no more and you show me that you don’t want the same thing. We don’t want the same thing.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 19, 2023
– Damian Lillard on the Portland Trailblazers
(Via BACKONFIGG SHOW / h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/8NPlrr4Qts
A significant point of contention centers around Tyler Herro, with Miami viewing him as a potential centerpiece of the trade while Portland seems to expect more. The Blazers are also reportedly interested in Caleb Martin, a demand the Heat are cautious about meeting.
As of now, no other team has stepped forward with an offer surpassing Miami’s for the veteran guard. If Logo Lillard remains a Blazer as the preseason begins, he is expected to report to training camp, despite his trade request.
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