Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers
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Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers.
No one expected the Utah Jazz to be one of the more fun teams in the NBA this season. They aren’t quite goodyyet, but they have made vast strides from last season.
Lauri Markkanen is back to an All-Star level, Keyonte George is breaking out as an elite scorer, and Walker Kessler is quietly one of the best two-way centers in the NBA, no longer limited to just defense.
Of course, Utah has a long way to go before it can truly compete in the Western Conference. Assuming they tank away this season and land a top draft pick, next year could finally be the year.
Their star point guard, George, is already being compared to one of the best players of this era.
Utah Jazz point guard Keyonte George
GettySALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 22: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at the Delta Center on October 22, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz Guard Earns Damian Lillard Comparison
So far this season, George is averaging 23.1 points and 8.1 assists per game. He’s only shooting 26.8% from 3-point range, but he’s the type of player who can take over a game.
On November 3rd, in a win against the Boston Celtics, George poured in a season-high 31 points. No longer just a scorer, George can orchestrate the offense and set his teammates up, or he can put the team on his back.
Jusuf Nurkic, who spent seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, has seen this before.
“He’s my favorite player so far, literally,” Nurkic told KSL’s Ryan Miller. “He’s reminding me so much of Dame, in a way. Just the way he works, the way he understands the game, and the way he wants to be better.”
George and Kessler are quickly becoming the best parts of the Jazz’s young core. Kessler will be a restricted free agent next summer, although he has quickly established himself as a long-term piece.
Utah is still one true star away from competing, but the framework for a good team is there.
Damian Lillard Comparison Is Inaccurate
It’s easy to compare talented, shifty, offensive-minded guards to Damian Lillard, especially since Nurkic spent a lot of time on the floor with him. However, it’s not the perfect comparison.
Lillard was long touted as one of the three best shooters in the NBA alongside Stephen Curry and James Harden. His lowest single-season mark from 3-point range was 32.4%, offered in an injury-riddled 2021-22 campaign.
George’s career-best is 34.3%, set last season. However, he’s cashing in on midrange and short-distance buckets better than Lillard ever did.
As a slightly undersized combo guard who is at his best attacking the basket, perhaps a more local comparison is warranted. George seems well on his way to playing a similar style to Donovan Mitchell. If he falls short of that lofty goal, playing on par with Jordan Clarkson, another future Jazz star, is a reasonable floor.