On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Damian Lillard's latest comments reek of entitlement
Damian Lillard believes he isn't appreciated for his exploits through 13 years in the NBA.
On the "Club520" podcast, the Bucks guard called out critics who place Stephen Curry in rarefied air but don't include him in the same conversation for greatest shooter ever.
"They definitely don't talk about it [my shooting]," Lillard said. "They act like I've not been doing what I've been doing for 13 seasons. When I think about my time in the league, there haven't been many who've been doing it over and over. But I think people just get bored with consistency. I ain't loud, but like [expletive], I've been doing it that long and winning. It ain't like I've been doing it and I'm just playing for a team that never plays in the playoffs."
It's rather delusional on Lillard's part to suggest he hasn't been appreciated.
First, he made the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team over proven NBA champions such as Dwight Howard, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Second, he was rewarded with All-NBA and All-Star selections even when his teams missed the playoffs (in 2023) or suffered first-round sweeps (in 2017, 2018 and 2020).
Third, the front offices of the two franchises he's played for left no stone unturned to satisfy his every whim. The Blazers let a prime LaMarcus Aldridge walk, just to hand the keys to Lillard, and held onto his beloved coach, Terry Stotts, for far too long to acquiesce to the star guard. Similarly, the Bucks reportedly fired Adrian Griffin because he and Lillard "never saw eye to eye" on Xs and Os.
Sorry, but a player who isn't appreciated doesn't get the red carpet rolled out like that.
At some point, the basketball community must realize that Lillard didn't live up to the top billing he was tagged with a decade ago. Some will cite his two iconic buzzer-beaters while ignoring that Lillard's teams failed to advance past the first round in six of his nine playoff appearances (including three sweeps). And his only conference finals appearance ended in disaster, with Lillard shooting 36 percent from the field.
As great as Lillard has been, there's a reason he isn't mentioned in the same breath as Curry. The Oakland native has shot over 40 percent from three just once in his career. Curry's worst shooting season (.380) was better than Lillard's career percentage (.371) from three. As the kids would say, levels.
More must-reads:
- Zion Williamson's commitment to weight loss should scare NBA
- Jason Kidd details Kyrie Irving's integral role in Mavericks recruiting Klay Thompson
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Rumor: Warriors Won’t Trade Jonathan Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors will not trade restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, according to NBA reporter Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are interested in acquiring Kuminga in a sign-and-trade deal, but the Warriors don’t like the offers. “The word I got when I checked in with a Warriors source on Sunday: Jonathan Kuminga won’t be traded this summer,” Kawakami wrote. “He’ll be back on the Warriors’ roster to start the season. And it’ll either come when he signs the Warriors’ offer or accepts the $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.” Kuminga, who doesn’t have a good relationship with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Golden State last season in 47 games. The 22-year-old forward shot 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the free-throw line. Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He enters next season with career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists with Golden State. “But several sources have indicated that the Warriors have been unenthusiastic about the general idea of a Kuminga sign-and-trade from the outset,” Kawakami wrote. “The broad context is that Joe Lacob remains a fan of Kuminga’s and is determined to either keep the 22-year-old on the roster or get real value in return. And he’s willing to wait it out.” The Kings offered a three-year, $63 million deal to Kuminga, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic. In the sign-and-trade proposal, the Warriors would get Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick. It looks like Kuminga will play next season with the Warriors on a one-year qualifying offer and then hit unrestricted free agency next offseason. More NBA News Rumors
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
Rams share worrisome Matthew Stafford update ahead of preseason opener
Los Angeles Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a "week-to-week" designation throughout training camp as he deals with lingering back soreness. According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop and Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Sunday that Stafford won't participate in Monday's jog-through practice. "He’ll be doing a workout on his own during that time period," McVay said. "He is able to do a little bit more, which is good, and things are progressing well, but he won’t take part in the jog-through because he’ll be doing some other stuff." Stafford also won't take part in Los Angeles' joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. Barshop noted that 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV, who has never taken a meaningful snap as a pro, "is expected to start for the Rams" in the team's preseason opener against Dallas this coming Saturday. It's unclear if Stafford will be available for the Rams' joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 13. The Rams play the Chargers on Aug. 16 and then end the preseason with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 23. "It’s static throwing," McVay said about what Stafford will do on Monday. "It’s some of the unloaded running on the treadmill. Sometimes it might even be walking. He’s able to do a little lighter cardio and able to do some good core work. It’s more just functional strength surrounding the area, making sure you don’t do anything to set yourself back based on the trajectory he’s doing. We are looking forward to getting him and easing him back into football, hopefully in the near future." It's no secret that the Rams at least considered trading Stafford to either the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders after he turned 37 years old this past February. While the Rams worked out an agreement to keep Stafford as their QB1, the club could part ways with him next offseason if his body betrays him or he looks like a player past his physical prime during the upcoming campaign. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams sixth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. Such information suggests Los Angeles may want to consider looking for an upgrade over current backup signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, who hasn't shown he can be a winning QB1 with any regularity since the 2022 season.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
