Damian Lillard's new contract with the Portland Trail Blazers makes him one of only two current NBA players with a no-trade clause, the other being LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers.
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PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after hitting the game winning shot in Game Five of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 23, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 118-115.
Former NBA point guard Patrick Beverley made a controversial statement taking aim at Damian Lillard’s NBA career. Basketball Reference currently lists Lillard as having a 99.5% probability of getting inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame when he retires. However, Beverley claims that Lillard doesn’t deserve that accolade unless he wins an NBA Championship first.
The following quote from Beverley came during his most recent podcast episode:
“Hell no! I love Dame, but it’s too many people that get in the Hall of Fame. Let me start off with that. Second off, Hall of Fame has to be a combination of points, rebounds, assists, wins, playoff appearances, and championships.
Like, how are we gonna say no to D Rose getting MVP and say yes to Dame Lillard? If he gets a chip, for sure. But scoring a lot of points on okay teams? I don’t think that gets you into Hall of Fame.”
Beverley made two bold points of claiming that too many people get inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and that Lillard should not get this honor. The criticism from Beverley claimed that Lillard “scoring a lot of points on okay teams” is not valid enough for an induction.
Does Beverley Make A Good Point?
The best point by Beverley stems from the Basketball Hall of Fame having too many inductions compared to baseball and football. Most would agree that it is far easier to get inducted via the basketball voters. Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge both have realistic chances to get inducted soon, but their resumes would not be enough in other sports.
Lillard is unfairly named by Beverley since he’s on a tier above certain names inducted or having a chance of an induction. The overall point of having fewer members would likely see players below Dame getting named first as those who should be snubbed.
Beverley made a bad point by bringing up Derrick Rose since his issue has more to do with longevity. Rose is not expected to get voted in due to only having a few prime seasons before injuries ruined his peak. The former MVP would have clearly got voted in if he had a longer prime beyond one MVP season and three All-Star appearances.
Beverley’s Past Drama With Dame Is Relevant
Lillard and Beverley have had some hostile moments of trash talking throughout the years. Beverley claimed that he has love for Dame and that his point is not meant to diminish Lillard when dropping his quote, but it still comes off poorly due to their past.
The NBA bubble featured Beverley mocking Lillard for missing some clutch free throws in a game. Lillard responded by talking about sending Beverley home in a previous postseason series and often outperforming the defensive loudmouth.
Both men have had enough hostile moments with each other to have that factor into Beverley’s comment. Regardless of what Beverley says or feels about it, Lillard is likely getting inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Many view him as the greatest player in Portland Trail Blazers history to make it a no-brainer.