[valentine]

[CodySLCParticipant]

Its crazy how he was overlooked by so many schools. Then goes to the unkown Weber State University in Ogden Utah in the Big Sky Conference, which in amlost as unkown. Then becomes the 6th pick and by all indications he’s going to be very good. I think he’s got a real shot at becoming the Rookie of the year.

[RafterParticipant]

What a story that would be. I’ve been very impressed with his ability and mentality this preseason, he carries himself so well that it boggles my mind how bigger schools didn’t go all out in getting him. It’d be really exciting if he can maintain his current production, his pre-season stats are so impressive that i’d love to see those kind of statistics passing over into the main event that is the NBA season. He still needs to improve his decision-making but with experience, he’ll get better. He looks like a ROY candidate but will be more testing times ahead for him and that’ll test his mettle for sure.

[omphalosParticipant]

 I’m not sure how much of it was Lillard being overlooked and how much of it was Lillard simply working his butt off to improve this much since high school. Hindsight is 20-20, but there are plenty of guards who play like Lillard out there, it took him some time to separate himself from the pack, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

I wasnt able to follow him in college, but watching him in NBA preseason games given his size, movement, and game reminds me a lot of Stephon Marbury.

[HitsterParticipant]

He looks like he’ll get the starting gig right away so will in some ways have to learn on the job but if he is good enough then why try to hold him back. He’s getting the keys to the team from day one and will have more plays drawn up for him than any other rookie this year I would guess so he has a great chance of being ROY.

The key thing will be how he progresses over the years as guys like Marbury reached the top quickly but was virtually out of the league when slower developers such as Nash and Billups were still playing to an All Star standard or better. Another former Portland PG Damon Stoudamire had a massive start to his NBA career but never reached that level again despite still having a long and successful career.

Certainly the situation is a good one for Lillard he has an All Star team mate in LMA, two solid complimentary guys in Matthews and Batum plus a lot of young guys who Portland are hoping to build around. So hopefully if his skillset does stand up to the NBA as well as it is looking he could have a long and fruitful spell in Portland.

[HazelParticipant]

Big Lillard fan followed him last year and think he has all the tools.  Athletically superior to almost everyone, smooth jumper, efficient scorer, good instincts and will be an excellent passer in time. 

I am one of those hated Jazz fans, and would trade any player on the Jazz roster for him today!  I think he will be top 5 pg in 3yrs.

Marbury and he are complete opposites in personality.  Lillard is already a leader, Marbury never was.

[Puregreen5Participant]

He plays under such control, hes like a vet on the court as rookie! He will make Blazers fans forgot about Brandon Roy’s early retirement. Lillard for ROY, its a great day to be a Blazers fan again! Everyone gets a +1 from me that posted!

[Author]

Posts