What’s The Price of Being Loyal?

01/27/2023

By: Matthew Cahill

Damian Lillard is amazing, but we knew that already. Earlier this week, he exploded for a season-high 60 points 21-29 shooting in a 134-124 victory over the Utah Jazz. It was statistically the most efficient 60-point game in NBA history. Every time he does something incredible like this, it reminds us of the price of being loyal in the sport of basketball. 

 

Yesterday’s performance marked the fourth 60-point outing of his career, which ties him with Michael Jordan and James Harden for the third most ever. As incredible as that stat is, it feels like many of Dame’s performances come and go without much of a lasting impact, mostly because we know how the story ends each season. 

 

Usually, the hardest part of building a championship contender is securing a superstar to base the team around. Ironically, Portland has had that for over a decade now. In spite of that, the Blazers have been borderline incompetent when it comes to building around the greatest player to ever suit up for their franchise.

 

Back in 2015, Portland had a strong rotation that featured LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicholas Batum, and Wesley Matthews. However, they lost all three of those players in free agency that summer, leaving Dame with an unproven CJ McCollum as his costar. CJ ended up having a breakout season, and together the two led the Blazers to a very respectable 44-38. But since then, the front office has done next to nothing to improve the roster and give Lillard a real shot at contending. 

 

In today’s modern NBA, it doesn’t take much for a star player to want out, especially if their front office is failing them. But despite not having an all-star teammate in over seven years, Dame has repeatedly opted to stay put in Portland instead of teaming up with other superstars who have been in his ear to leave for years. While the decision to stay shows great character, it may have cost him a championship. 

 

Anthony Davis was in a similar situation during his days in New Orleans. After spending seven seasons where his team was fighting to sneak into the playoffs, AD saw the writing on the wall and forced a trade to Los Angeles, where he won a title with LeBron James. Kevin Durant was fed up with his team’s style of play in Oklahoma City, and signed with the Warriors, winning two titles himself playing alongside Stephen Curry. Both of these players received plenty of criticism for opting to leave the team that drafted them, but they both have something that can’t be taken away from them: a championship ring. 

 

Had Lillard gone a similar route and teamed up with someone like LeBron who personally recruited him in the past, maybe he himself would have a ring or two and potentially gone down as an all-time great point guard in the same conversation with guys like Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson. But that was not the case. Despite being one of the most talented lead guards who has ever played, Dame is likely going to be remembered as another legend who was never able to deliver a championship (Steve Nash, Chris Paul, etc.). He will forever be a legend in the city of Portland and will undoubtedly have his name in the rafters once his playing days are over, which is something a lot of stars can’t say due to their team hopping. It just leaves the question – Is that worth more than being a champion?

 

Image: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images