LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 31: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a play during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 31, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers seemed to have crushed the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Sunday after they took a comfortable 25-point lead. But things only went bad to worse for the home side as they were outplayed miserably in the third quarter (40-20) to lose the game by eventually 9 points at the end.
This loss meant that the Trail Blazers had now lost 8 of their last 10 games after holding onto the numero uno rank in the Western Conference in the initial weeks of the 2022-23 season. Moreover, Damian Lillard failed to support his sidekick Anfernee Simmons as LeBron James and Thomas Bryant took center stage.
However, this rough patch has not led Damian Lillard to think any less of his team ahead of the trade deadline. The mighty franchise star was asked about his thoughts on the team’s upcoming trade plans. Well, Dame Time did provide an answer, but he made it clear he just wants to focus on winning.
Lillard said in the post Lakers-game interview, “I’m confused why you all are asking me these questions right now, honestly. I respect it, but the bottom line is, we at the mid-way point of the season and we’re struggling right now, we’re not playing really well, we’ve been in a lot of these games, none of these games are just like we getting blown away. So, I think as far as basketball goes there are things, we can do to be better and we win some of these games.
“The struggles that we’ve had are obvious but I don’t think it’s fair for you all to be asking these questions right now. I think that’s kind of a weak move. Our team is struggling and I’ve been transparent about our struggles and stuff that we can do better. But you all are putting me in a position to answer questions and I don’t think that’s cool. I think that’s a lack of respect putting me in that position.”
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