Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has never been one to bite his tongue. Whether he’s revealing his biggest flaw, hinting at changes towards the roster, or speaking of his team’s title chances, the 30-year-old generally keeps it pretty real.
As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that he had some stuff to get off his chest this week.
What had Lillard so up in arms?
One particular Team USA omission that he couldn’t quite understand.
Earlier this week it was announced Nneka Ogwumike was not being asked to join the U.S. women’s basketball Olympic squad. Despite being a six-time All-Star and former MVP, for reasons nobody could quite understand, she was left off the invitee list.
“They doin Nneka Ogwumike dirty smh,” Lillard tweeted out.
Lillard was not alone in that assessment.
Derek Fisher, who coaches Ogwumike on the Los Angeles Sparks, was similarly stunned by the omission.
“We’re p***ed, honestly,” Fisher said, per TMZ Sports. “I think the thing about Nneka is nothing has to be given to her. She earned it. She deserves it. That’s the most frustrating and disappointing part.
“[She] could have probably gone overseas maybe to make more money than sacrifice for Team USA. Sacrificing her body in terms of performing well, leading the team in scoring during the tour, won MVP award during their group on the tour.
“Like, I don’t know what else a player is supposed to do. She’s been an All-Star 6 times in the last 10 years. She’s been the MVP of the league in recent years, 2016, a champion in the league. One of the faces of the league.”
It will be interesting to see how the powers that be respond now that prominent NBA stars like Lillard are speaking out regarding Ogwumike.
As far as Lillard himself goes, he’s in for something of an intriguing offseason. There are currently 4 teams desperately trying to pry him away from the Blazers, but thus far they’ve been unsuccessful.
Will that change at any point in the foreseeable future? Time will tell.
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