Damian Lillard calls out native reporter for one terrible sizzling take initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Northwest

Some prefer it sizzling… Others, they skip the recent and simply dive headfirst into scalding with no take care of the end result. 

We noticed the end result on Wednesday.

After keen his staff to a different big 20-point comeback victory, Path Blazers star Damian Lillard took to the rostrum and confronted the media. 

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The primary query of the night time got here from Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. He merely requested what the comeback stated in regards to the staff. 

“I feel it says quite a bit in regards to the character of our staff and what we’re changing into, ” stated Lillard earlier than persevering with to present a deeper reply. 

Lillard put the staff on his again to the tune of 40 factors and 13 assists, changing into the primary participant in NBA historical past to file that statline with out committing a single turnover. 

Lillard’s efficiency was unbelievable, and it might have had a little bit outdoors affect. 

Earlier than transferring on to the following query, Lillard referred to as out Fentress for a take he had on Twitter that rubbed Lillard the incorrect manner.

I additionally noticed your Tweets while you was saying that there was a backcourt higher than me and CJ, too…You stated it was the Wizard’s backcourt.

Damian Lillard

The Tweets in reference popped up on January seventh when followers had been speaking on the social community about how Lillard and McCollum had been the perfect backcourt within the NBA.

Fentress chimed in, “Westbrook and Beal?”

Fentress performed the Flooring is Lava, however forgot the purpose was to keep away from the lava, not contact it.

When pressed by Lillard, Fentress defined he was simply throwing out choices. “I raised it as an possibility as a result of somebody stated there was a no contest, so I stated what about Beal and Westbrook?”

Story continues

The lie detector has decided that was a lie. 

He wasn’t throwing out choices, he was giving his sincere opinion that the Wizards had a greater backcourt. His comply with up Tweets to followers that referred to as him out show that. 

Having that opinion is definitely superb however for the file, there is just one backcourt that’s higher than Dame and CJ, and that’s Steph Curry and a wholesome Klay Thompson. That pair has the championships and a number of playoff victories over the Blazers to show it. Beal and Westbrook, not a lot. 

Bradley Beal has been on a tear this season. There isn’t a doubting how nice he’s at this level. He at the moment leads the NBA in scoring at 34.9 factors per sport, together with a 60 level outburst towards the 76ers. 

60 factors is unbelievable, however let’s remind Fentress that Lillard did that 3 times final season. 

As for McCollum, he’s additionally having a profession yr and it at the moment the league’s second-leading scorer at 28.1 per sport. However particular person scoring numbers do not paint a real image. While you evaluate the 2 duos utilizing averages, they’re almost equivalent. 

Westbrook + Beal per sport: 67.4 factors, 22.3 rebounds, 16.3 assists, 8.9 turnovers, 3.9 steals. 

Dame + CJ per sport: 67.6 factors, 22.2 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 5.8 turnovers, 4.7 steals. 

They’re exhausting to inform aside, actually. The place the evident distinction is within the superior stats, and Portland’s combo shines. 

Westbrook + Beal: Off Rtg: 111.8, Def Rtg: 112.4

Dame + CJ: Off Rtg: 120.4, Def. Rtg: 111.2

That may be a web ranking of -0.5 vs 9.2. In different phrases, the Wizards are outscored when Westbrook and Beal are on the ground. Need extra proof? 

The Wizards are 1-7 when Russ performs, 2-1 when he would not, and so they have a -2.7 web ranking in minutes he’s on the ground. 

Bradley Beal is likely one of the finest capturing guards within the Japanese Convention. In all probability the perfect had James Harden not been traded to the Nets on Wednesday. 

McCollum, he is likely one of the finest capturing guards within the stacked West, particularly now that he’s having the perfect yr of his profession. 

Bradley Beal is arguably higher than CJ McCollum, however the hole is small and McCollum is closing floor this season. 

The large distinction is between Russ and Dame. Positive, there is no such thing as a doubt that Westbrook is an athletic freak and a triple-double machine, however it would not all the time translate wins on the courtroom. Simply take a look at Hassan Whiteside final season with Portland. Simply because he led the league in blocked photographs did not imply the staff’s protection was higher when he was on the ground. It was worse. 

The hole between Lillard and Westbrook, nevertheless, is much less a spot and extra a canyon. Westbrook is not even the perfect level guard in his convention, whereas Dame is neck and neck in a race with Curry (a race Curry is main and has been for some time) to be topped the perfect level guard in all the league.

Fentress stated if the 2 duos had been switched individuals can be up in arms if he stated Dame and CJ in Washington are higher than Russ and Beal in Portland…

No, they would not, as a result of he can be telling the reality. Heck, the Russ – Beal duo is not even pretty much as good because the Wall – Beal duo it changed.

Had Russ landed in Washington 5 years in the past, possibly the argument would maintain weight, however in 2020-2021 Westbrook is having one of many worst years of his profession. Russ is capturing a career-worst 37.8% from the sector and is averaging simply 19.3 factors per sport, the third-worst of his profession. All regardless of enjoying 37.1 minutes per sport, probably the most in his profession. 

Russ is struggling to seek out his footing whereas Dame, CJ, and Beal are placing up All-Star campaigns. Do not get me incorrect, I take pleasure in Westbrook. At instances he will be almost unguardable and his sport, irrespective of how chaotic, is all the time enjoyable to look at. But when had been are speaking finest backcourt duos proper now, I am taking Dame and CJ each single time. 

Fentress however, he’s rolling with Wizards duo and that is superb. However he did one thing the remainder of the NBA has realized to not do over time – He poked the bear. 

CJ McCollum seen what occurred, too. 

As Keegan-Michael Key would say, “You executed tousled A-a-ron.”