- Damian Lillard picks the top three competitors in his career
- Lillard says Kyrie is “different” from the rest
- Russell Westbrook gets surprise shout-out by Trial Blazers star
In a recent appearance on the ‘It Is What It Is’ podcast, Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard opened up on all sorts of topics, ranging from his ongoing trade request from the Trail Blazers to Kevin Durant’s run with the Golden State Warriors.
At one point, he also revealed the top three players he has ever guarded, which includes Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Russell Westbrook. He also gave a special shout-out to Kyrie Irving, who he claimed has “the most beautiful game in NBA history.”
Damian Lillard on Kyrie:
“Kyrie [Irving] really different…He got the most beautiful game in NBA history” 🗣
(🎥 @ITISWATITISTALK) pic.twitter.com/YnS74FaTf7
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) September 19, 2023
Lillard may not have done much with the Blazers last season, but they’ve been a consistent playoff team over the years and Lillard has seen his fair share of star matchups. And yet, out of all the people that Lillard has battled over his long NBA career, those are the three names that stand out above the rest.
Westbrook’s inclusion is by far the most surprising, but it should be noted that some of Lillard’s most important battles were against Westbrook and his Thunder teams. In 2019, for example, Damian sent Westbrook home after nailing a three-point buzzer-beater to win the series.
Steph Curry Has Lillard’s Number
When it comes to his relationship with Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard is seemingly always a step behind. As good as Damian is at shooting the ball from range, Steph is better in almost every way and he’s proven that time and time again in the postseason. During their latest matchup in 2019, Steph averaged a whopping 36.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in a clean 4-0 series sweep over Lillard’s Blazers.
Career-wise, Curry has all of the accolades that Lillard is missing. As a 2x MVP, 4x champion, and 2x scoring leader, Steph is among the most accomplished players in basketball, and even Lillard can recognize his place at the top of the food chain.
“At my position, Steph is the one person that I can accept coming behind,” Lillard said Wednesday on the “Draymond Green Show.” “Steph came from a mid-major. Steph went through injuries. Steph’s teams struggled. Steph is a two-time MVP, four-time champion. I respect Steph. I take nothing away from Steph. I respect it 1000 percent.”
Does Kyrie Irving Really Have “The Most Beautiful” Game In NBA History?
Damian Lillard holds Kyrie Irving in very high regard, but his statements are not too far off from the thinking of other NBA professionals. Irving, an 8x All-Star, has had a lot of problems in the past, but there is no denying his talent when it comes to handling the basketball. “This is no disrespect to guys like AI Skip, Isiah, CP, Hardaway, but Kyrie has the best NBA handle of all time. PERIOD,” wrote former NBA player Richard Jefferson.
But while Irving has a beautiful game on the court, it’s his antics off the court that often inhibit his impact on the team. For Lillard, while he’s no stranger to Irving’s complicated history, all of his matchups against him have left a strong impression so far and that seems to be the case for many players who have personally seen Kyrie Irving at his best.
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