Kevin Durant left for the Warriors for many reasons. LeBron James left for the Heat for many reasons. Anthony Davis and Paul George forced their way to Los Angeles for many reasons.
Those are life-altering moves. Nobody does something so consequential for a single purpose.
But whether or not it intended, each of those stars took an easier route to a championship. That’s just the reality.
Damian Lillard, on the other hand, has done so much to elevate himself then pull up the Trail Blazers with him. Lillard has often touted his loyalty to Portland. He showed it by signing a super-max extension that locks him in through 2025.
Lillard, via Adam Caparell of Complex:
“To depart, what did I make investments all this time for simply to depart, you realize?” he says. “If I’m going play with three different stars, I don’t suppose that many individuals would doubt that I might win it. We’d win it, however what’s the problem or the enjoyable in that?”
I disagree with Lillard’s certainty about successful a title if he teamed with different stars. Not each perceived tremendous crew has received. A championship nonetheless should be earned. It’s not straightforward.
However it will be simpler.
It additionally in all probability wouldn’t be as rewarding.
Durant has admitted successful a championship with Golden State didn’t fill the void he thought it will. Possibly for different causes, nevertheless it’s straightforward to see the Warriors’ expertise benefit as a purpose. He joined a title contender and made it even higher. He didn’t construct that crew. Maybe, a championship with the Nets would imply extra to him.
Lillard is much less more likely to win a title by staying Portland. I feel he is aware of that. He enjoys the town, and the $196 million he tasks to earn on his four-year extension doesn’t damage, both.
But when Lillard ever wins a championship with the Path Blazers, it will be so gratifying. That’s what he’s chasing.
Lillard made clear he’s not criticizing stars who selected an alternate path. He’s doing what’s proper for him, simply as they did what was proper for them.
His quest ought to earn him loads of followers. For everybody who disliked Durant becoming a member of Golden State as a result of it offended their sensibilities of how a title pursuit ought to work, Lillard is a superb foil.