Lillard: It has been 13 years since I was selected by the Trail Blazers, and it is easier for the team to dig new players now

Damian Lillard, a backcourt star who was cut by the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, returned to the Portland Trail Blazers, recently interviewed by well-known NBA reporter Andy Katz, in which he also talked about the changes in the way NBA teams dig.

Lillard said: I think these things are nothing now. I mean, 13 years ago, I was selected by the Trail Blazers at the 6th overall pick in the NBA Draft. So, with the development of social media, and the rise of middle-sized league colleges and universities, you will find that many players from middle-sized league colleges and universities have grown into NBA stars now. This is basically the case for players like Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, and myself, as well as Ja Morant, Paul George, CJ McCollum. Actually, I can give many more examples. They are basically teams from mid-range colleges and universities. They all played in college for several years and have always been very good at NBA careers.

Lillard continued: So, this was not the case before, and this kind of thing was not common before. You know, NBA teams would also discover these types of players at that time, but obviously it would not be as easy and convenient as it is now. This is definitely more common now, all of which rely on social media to help, and all information about a player can be tracked now. You know, it is much easier now than ever to discover and follow these players.

In the NBA regular season last season, Lillard played 58 games in 82 games, averaging 36.1 minutes per game, averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks, and 2.8 turnovers and 1.7 fouls, shooting percentage of 44.8%, three-point shooting percentage of 37.6%, and free throw shooting percentage of 92.1%. In the playoffs, Lillard played 3 games in total, with averaging 24.9 minutes per game, averaging 7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks, and a turnover and 2.7 fouls. His shooting percentage was 22.2%, a three-point shooting percentage of 18.8%, and a free throw shooting percentage of 85.7%. However, in the new season, Lillard was unable to appear on the court due to a torn Achilles tendon and had to be forced to miss the entire season. I don’t know what kind of performance Lillard can perform after returning to the Trail Blazers. After suffering such an injury, can he find his condition in time?