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Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard is a ‘franchise cornerstone’

By Andrew Melnick

May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) walks off the court after hitting the game winning shot against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) walks off the court after hitting the game winning shot against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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After just two years in the NBA, Portland Trail Blazers’ point guard Damian Lillard has turned into a star.

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Lillard has been a very good scorer and floor general since day one but really solidified what kind of player he was last season. Lillard upped his game and was at his best in the postseason. The Trail Blazers pulled an upset of the Houston Rockets in the, wrapping up the series in game six on Lillard’s game-winning, buzzer-beating three-pointer. Although they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games a round later, it was clear that Lillard had arrived.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders considers Lillard a “franchise cornerstone.”

"Much like Davis, Lillard is a star. Drafted sixth overall, Lillard was one of the more experienced players coming in, but even he’ll admit his success so quickly in the NBA was a little unexpected. Lillard is without much debate one of the best players from the 2012 NBA Draft class, and is absolutely a cornerstone type player."

Lillard averaged 20.7 points, 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 42.4% from the field, 39.4% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free throw line last season. During the postseason, Lillard put up 22.9 points, 6.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 43.9% from the field, 38.6% from three and 89.4% from the charity stripe. In his two-year career, the sixth-overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, has averaged 19.9 points, 6.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 42.7% from the field, 38.1% from three and 85.9% from the charity stripe.

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