The Portland Trail Blazers have dealt with a whirlwind start to the 2025-26 NBA campaign. Despite head coach Chauncey Billups’ involvement in a betting scandal, the Blazers have done well in a lot of games. And even Damian Lillard is loving it, as seen in his latest statement.
Lillard is missing all of this season with an Achilles injury. His return to the court for the Blazers still involves a long wait. But while he recovers, Dame is feeling good about his new teammates and what they can achieve together.
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“I had to go away for this team to be assembled. And now it’s a team that I would have wanted to play on for years. So now I have a year to connect with this team while building my body up to get ready to go,” Lillard told The Athletic.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images
“I still think I have better moments ahead. Everything is happening weirdly. What are the chances that I tear my Achilles and I get waived with two years left … and the first team I think of, and the first team that contacted me, is the Blazers? And me being back here.”
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While many think Lillard will never get back to being a star, it would be hard to bet against him. The Blazers have designed an excellent roster that can maximize Dame’s needs. If he comes back and tears the league apart with the Blazers, it could prove to be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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