Take a look at some of Damian's jaw-dropping moments in Portland. There is a time and a place for it.
If the Portland Trail blazers can't win a title during Damian's playing career, he'll stay with the team for the rest of his life.
At a news conference announcing his two-year extension with the Portland Trail blazers, Damian Lillard was asked how he doubled down on his desire to stay in Portland.
If I do something that goes against who I am, and say I will end up winning, I know me better than anyone else. It wouldn't be as fulfilling to me as I would want it to be, so I would be happy with it. I'm willing to go out as long as I have the chance to do it.
He had to block out noise from people who said he had to go somewhere else to win a title. He made it clear that he was confident that he would be able to bring the team back into contention.
"That's where I've been all my life, and that's where I'm at now," he said. It will get done or it won't get done. We need a miracle times 10 to get it done because I don't want to go out there with this battle. If that doesn't work out, I can live with that.
The player who has bucked the trend of changing teams in an era is one of the reasons why he signed another massive extension.
"I'm proud to be that guy." I don't think you get something like this if you just go out there and score a bunch of points.
"Because of how much I've embraced that and I haven't pretended to embrace it, that's really who I am." It shows that there is something there for being committed and having your mind in the right place.
Chauncey Billups said that it was an incredible day for the organization.
Billups said that they were lucky to have a guy like Dame in their franchise. Superstars in our game today are different from our generation in that they are in charge of their careers. A lot of superstars find ways to get where they want to go if they don't want to be there. I got a lot of respect for Dame because he was very clear about his intentions when he was in Portland and playing in front of the fans.
When Chauncey Billups won a title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, he was considered one of the most clutch players of his era.
Billups said that there were two types of teams in the game. There is a team that is looking for a star and a team that is looking for a star. We are fortunate to have two people that want to be here. There's been a lot of change in this organization and he's stuck by us all.
If he stays in Portland, he will be able to show a new generation of young players that they can still find happiness in one city, even if their team goes through some rough times.
It is hoped that it will have an impact. It doesn't have to be, "Oh, the media says this, or everybody's telling me this." You get swayed into doing what everyone is telling you to do. You will not be able to live with those decisions. This organization shows this type of trust and faith in me because I am the person who jumps out.
I'm even more proud of what the organization does. I hope that that will reach the guys that are behind this.
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