[LA12Participant]

He’s been ROY. He’s been an All-Star. He’s helped send his team to the second round of the playoffs for he first time in 14 years, and he’s done it all in 2 years. Bu, what’s Lillard’s true potential? Can he use these playoffs to launch him into stardom?

He’s becoming more and more popular with the NBA fan base with each game, but I have trouble putting a ceiling on him. 24/7/5 kinda guy? Some people I talk to think he can surpass even that, but they’d be considered more casual fans than us on these forums. So where do you guys see Lillard peaking? Keep in mind he’s 23/24 already. I think that 24/7/5 is a good estimate, but beyond that I think he can improve upon his defense with more work during the summer with Gary Payton. I don’t think he’ll become a lock down type of guy, but a much improved defender kind of like what Klay Thompson has done.

[Chriscdrake_3Participant]

 i think lillard could average 27/9/6 people talk about curry being a shooter lillard is write behind him to me 

 

 

[Chriscdrake_3Participant]

 i think lillard could average 27/9/6 people talk about curry being a shooter lillard is write behind him to me 

 

 

[festar35Participant]

I still think he is an Arneas/Marbury type player, but the difference is this kid has his head on right.

Arenas was a very hard worker he just injury prone later and he had off court issues. I truly believe he can be a top 10 player in the NBA and the top PG. Not to say it will happen, but the potential is there.

[festar35Participant]

I still think he is an Arneas/Marbury type player, but the difference is this kid has his head on right.

Arenas was a very hard worker he just injury prone later and he had off court issues. I truly believe he can be a top 10 player in the NBA and the top PG. Not to say it will happen, but the potential is there.

[TRC1991Participant]

Sky is the limit for him. He’s already a top 15 NBA player…Could be pushing top 10 by next year 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 he’s not a top 15 player.

he’s a horrible defender, struggles to finish around the rim and not a great playmaker.

now, he’s obviously a good player, but he’s nowhere near elite.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Is James Harden a top 15 player? 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yes he is. better scorer + better play maker with the ball.

he’s obviously a horrendous defender himself, but he’s a better player than Lillard and is a top 15 player.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

He is a better player than Lillard, but I think the gap is closer than you are making it sound. Lillard is a better three point shooter and mid-range shooter. Harden averaged half an assist more than Lillard this season, but he also averaged almost 1 more turnover a game. 

Not to mention Lillard’s team just beat Harden’s team in the playoffs, largely because of Lillard. 

I also like that Lillard at least puts effort in on the defensive end.

Again, not saying that Lillard is better. Harden is pretty good and the better player, but I think the gap is closer than you are making it sound. 

I mean top 15 is a lot of players. Who you taking? Lebron, Durant, Love, Griffin, Paul, Melo, Harden, Howard, George, Curry, Westbrook, Wade, Bosh, Jefferson, Noah, Rose, Aldridge,  and Nowitzki? I think you could make an arguement that Lillard deserves to be considered in the Wade, Bosh, Jefferson, Nowitzki, Aldridge, Noah range. Lillard is a fringe top 15 player. 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 um no, Lillard is not a fringe to 15 player. i can name plenty players who are better than him.

Harden is ball dominate. but if he had the PG role of the Rockets he’d most def. average more assist than Lillard, who’s total is pretty low for a PG who’s getting his praise.

yeah Harden is the worse defender, but they’r both bad defenders. its like comparing ugly chicks, at the end of the day they’re still ugly.

i think theres a pretty good gap between whp’s the better player. Lillard isnt even the best player on his team so saying they won the series because of him is not right ( even though they technically did lol..but you know what i mean)

as for your rankings, Rose hasnt played in two years so he shouldnt be mentioned in any rankings. i dont wanna get into who i would take out of your list because than that will start up a whole new arguement but theres about 4 players who he’s better than. Harden is a top 15 player.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Harden had a higher usage rate than Lillard this year: 26.8 to 24.7. In fact, based on that, the argument could be made that Lillard’s numbers would be even closer to Harden’s if he had the ball as much as Harden. 

Agreed on the bad defense. Nice illustration. I still would prefer the chick who tries to take care of herself rather than the one who lets herself go. 

Agreed on the Rose comment. I just didn’t want some chicago fan jumping down my throat for not including him. I was trying to make the point that 15 players is a lot of players and you could argue for Lillard to be in that 13-20 range. 

 

 

 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Harden had a higher usage rate than Lillard this year: 26.8 to 24.7. In fact, based on that, the argument could be made that Lillard’s numbers would be even closer to Harden’s if he had the ball as much as Harden. 

Agreed on the bad defense. Nice illustration. I still would prefer the chick who tries to take care of herself rather than the one who lets herself go. 

Agreed on the Rose comment. I just didn’t want some chicago fan jumping down my throat for not including him. I was trying to make the point that 15 players is a lot of players and you could argue for Lillard to be in that 13-20 range. 

 

 

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 um no, Lillard is not a fringe to 15 player. i can name plenty players who are better than him.

Harden is ball dominate. but if he had the PG role of the Rockets he’d most def. average more assist than Lillard, who’s total is pretty low for a PG who’s getting his praise.

yeah Harden is the worse defender, but they’r both bad defenders. its like comparing ugly chicks, at the end of the day they’re still ugly.

i think theres a pretty good gap between whp’s the better player. Lillard isnt even the best player on his team so saying they won the series because of him is not right ( even though they technically did lol..but you know what i mean)

as for your rankings, Rose hasnt played in two years so he shouldnt be mentioned in any rankings. i dont wanna get into who i would take out of your list because than that will start up a whole new arguement but theres about 4 players who he’s better than. Harden is a top 15 player.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Why is Wade in your Top 15 ahead of Lillard?

Was that list more of a "status quo Top 15" or your personal Top 15?

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Neither. It was a generalization and quick listing of the top players in the NBA. Not arguing for any of those players to be in the top 15. I am not sure what my listing actually would be. My goal was just to show that 15 players is a lot of players and Lillard could legitimately be considered in the 10-20 range. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

I agree Lillard has definitely earned the recognition. He definitely deserves to be in discussions for Tpp 15 and certainly Top 25. I think he is slightly ahead of guys like Wall, Derozan, Lowry, and Dragic who are other gaurds that have been climbing the rankings this year.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 you’re crazy.

Wall is way better thn Lillard. Demar is better than Lillard.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 you’re crazy.

Wall is way better thn Lillard. Demar is better than Lillard.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I agree Lillard has definitely earned the recognition. He definitely deserves to be in discussions for Tpp 15 and certainly Top 25. I think he is slightly ahead of guys like Wall, Derozan, Lowry, and Dragic who are other gaurds that have been climbing the rankings this year.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Neither. It was a generalization and quick listing of the top players in the NBA. Not arguing for any of those players to be in the top 15. I am not sure what my listing actually would be. My goal was just to show that 15 players is a lot of players and Lillard could legitimately be considered in the 10-20 range. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Why is Wade in your Top 15 ahead of Lillard?

Was that list more of a "status quo Top 15" or your personal Top 15?

[2quick4uParticipant]

 i can’t believe there’s a top 15 player conversation with no tony parker… people still putting lillard,westbrook,an injured rose,dragic,wall,lowry.. ahead of him… it’s just ridiculous.

do i have to remind you all that spurs finished with best record in the league playing in the wild west and that they’ve destroyed blazers in the 1st game with him having 33pts and 9ast on lillard ¿? not to mention he has 3 rings.. non of those PG has a ring or finals mvp..not even paul or curry..

man, when is this guy gonna get any credit and respect?

 

 

[2quick4uParticipant]

 i can’t believe there’s a top 15 player conversation with no tony parker… people still putting lillard,westbrook,an injured rose,dragic,wall,lowry.. ahead of him… it’s just ridiculous.

do i have to remind you all that spurs finished with best record in the league playing in the wild west and that they’ve destroyed blazers in the 1st game with him having 33pts and 9ast on lillard ¿? not to mention he has 3 rings.. non of those PG has a ring or finals mvp..not even paul or curry..

man, when is this guy gonna get any credit and respect?

 

 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

He is a better player than Lillard, but I think the gap is closer than you are making it sound. Lillard is a better three point shooter and mid-range shooter. Harden averaged half an assist more than Lillard this season, but he also averaged almost 1 more turnover a game. 

Not to mention Lillard’s team just beat Harden’s team in the playoffs, largely because of Lillard. 

I also like that Lillard at least puts effort in on the defensive end.

Again, not saying that Lillard is better. Harden is pretty good and the better player, but I think the gap is closer than you are making it sound. 

I mean top 15 is a lot of players. Who you taking? Lebron, Durant, Love, Griffin, Paul, Melo, Harden, Howard, George, Curry, Westbrook, Wade, Bosh, Jefferson, Noah, Rose, Aldridge,  and Nowitzki? I think you could make an arguement that Lillard deserves to be considered in the Wade, Bosh, Jefferson, Nowitzki, Aldridge, Noah range. Lillard is a fringe top 15 player. 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yes he is. better scorer + better play maker with the ball.

he’s obviously a horrendous defender himself, but he’s a better player than Lillard and is a top 15 player.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Is James Harden a top 15 player? 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 he’s not a top 15 player.

he’s a horrible defender, struggles to finish around the rim and not a great playmaker.

now, he’s obviously a good player, but he’s nowhere near elite.

[TRC1991Participant]

Sky is the limit for him. He’s already a top 15 NBA player…Could be pushing top 10 by next year 

[Rip255]

I think his ceiling is Steph Curry and a top 5 PG.

A fantastic offensive player. Outstanding shotmaker and can be relied upon for steady play as a facilitator. I doubt he’ll lead the league in assists but it’s hard to judge his playmaking ability since dumping the ball into Aldridge is Portlands most common play. 

He has a high basketball IQ and provides great leadership on the court. He is also a fan favourite and marketing dream. 

I have him as a 22-6-4 guy in the Blazers offense but if he had a fast paced offense where he was the main option, he could easily be a 26ppg scorer. 

He will be 24 in a couple of months so he doesn’t have unlimited upside that we’re yet to see. 

  

[Rip255]

I think his ceiling is Steph Curry and a top 5 PG.

A fantastic offensive player. Outstanding shotmaker and can be relied upon for steady play as a facilitator. I doubt he’ll lead the league in assists but it’s hard to judge his playmaking ability since dumping the ball into Aldridge is Portlands most common play. 

He has a high basketball IQ and provides great leadership on the court. He is also a fan favourite and marketing dream. 

I have him as a 22-6-4 guy in the Blazers offense but if he had a fast paced offense where he was the main option, he could easily be a 26ppg scorer. 

He will be 24 in a couple of months so he doesn’t have unlimited upside that we’re yet to see. 

  

[Champzilla21Participant]

 A very kool fact about Damien is that he made the exact same amount of FGs in his 2 years in the league 553 both times

[Champzilla21Participant]

 A very kool fact about Damien is that he made the exact same amount of FGs in his 2 years in the league 553 both times

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 It’s a great era for PG’s, so many good ones and all offer a little something different.  Paul and his masterful playmaking and steady play, The Westbrooks/Walls of the world who are just the best athletes everytime they are on the floor, they impact the game using their physical tools and stuff the stat sheet.  Tony Parker/ Dragic who shred teams with the pick and roll.  Curry is an absolutely lights out shooter, who will surely go down as one of the best shooters the game has ever seen. Who knows what D Rose will be when he comes back and I have surely left off a few others.  And then there is Lillard.  Out of all of them he seems to be the jack of all trades to me.  Not quite as good a shooter as Steph but definitely a great one.  Not as athletic as Westbrook/Wall but more so than Chris Paul/Parker/Dragic.  Not the passer that Paul is but a better scorer.  He seems to be a blendid, well rounded point guard.  I won’t rank them because that is a matter of opinion and personal preference.

But  I will say he has the best commercial on TV right now!

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 It’s a great era for PG’s, so many good ones and all offer a little something different.  Paul and his masterful playmaking and steady play, The Westbrooks/Walls of the world who are just the best athletes everytime they are on the floor, they impact the game using their physical tools and stuff the stat sheet.  Tony Parker/ Dragic who shred teams with the pick and roll.  Curry is an absolutely lights out shooter, who will surely go down as one of the best shooters the game has ever seen. Who knows what D Rose will be when he comes back and I have surely left off a few others.  And then there is Lillard.  Out of all of them he seems to be the jack of all trades to me.  Not quite as good a shooter as Steph but definitely a great one.  Not as athletic as Westbrook/Wall but more so than Chris Paul/Parker/Dragic.  Not the passer that Paul is but a better scorer.  He seems to be a blendid, well rounded point guard.  I won’t rank them because that is a matter of opinion and personal preference.

But  I will say he has the best commercial on TV right now!

 

 

[XYRYXParticipant]

 Lillard will be fine. To me has written Billups all over him and to me that means he won’t be anything close to a 25ppg scorer but more importantly someone who makes the right decisions, controls the tempo and hits a good amount of shots from the outside. 

Funny thing to me is a few weaks ago when it was reportet that Lillard signed a $100 mil deal with Adidas people laughed and scratched heads if Damian really is special enough to be a brands face player but after his latest heroics everyone is raving about him…

I love seeing go to work cause he always seems to be in control all the time and his stepback jumper already is a signature move.  

[XYRYXParticipant]

 Lillard will be fine. To me has written Billups all over him and to me that means he won’t be anything close to a 25ppg scorer but more importantly someone who makes the right decisions, controls the tempo and hits a good amount of shots from the outside. 

Funny thing to me is a few weaks ago when it was reportet that Lillard signed a $100 mil deal with Adidas people laughed and scratched heads if Damian really is special enough to be a brands face player but after his latest heroics everyone is raving about him…

I love seeing go to work cause he always seems to be in control all the time and his stepback jumper already is a signature move.  

[kngojcParticipant]

 Is a comparison of Deron Williams that far off for him? He’s not as good of a distributor as DWill, but I think with the guys he has around him and more time to grow comfortable leading the offense and facilitating it, he’ll be able to become a more efficient shooter that can find the open man. The thing I like most about the guy is that every time I’ve seen him play, he puts effort into each part of his game. Even his passes had more zip on them.

[kngojcParticipant]

 Is a comparison of Deron Williams that far off for him? He’s not as good of a distributor as DWill, but I think with the guys he has around him and more time to grow comfortable leading the offense and facilitating it, he’ll be able to become a more efficient shooter that can find the open man. The thing I like most about the guy is that every time I’ve seen him play, he puts effort into each part of his game. Even his passes had more zip on them.

[Author]

Posts