The MVP conversation has mostly been dominated by big men such as Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, and of course the ever-present LeBron James. But Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard is throwing his hat in the MVP ring.

Lillard told Jason Quick of The Athletic he feels this has been his best season so far, in part because he has had to lead without CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic in the rotation:

“It hasn’t been all me. I don’t think it’s been — ‘I’ve done everything’ — but obviously without CJ, I’m going to have more responsibility,” Lillard said, via Quick. “Without Nurk, it’s going to be more responsibility, communication and just recognizing moments. There are a lot of things you have to be aware of and that you have to take action when you recognize it, that can impact your team winning. And I think I’ve been on top of that.”

The former Rookie of the Year has been on a tear as of late.

Lillard is averaging 30.2 points, 7.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds in his last six games, per NBA.com. He is shooting 37.5 percent from deep on 10.7 attempts per game, and is also getting to the free-throw line 9.3 times per contest.

As a result, the Trail Blazers have been winning. Portland is 5-1 in that stretch following Sunday's win over the Dallas Mavericks, in which Lillard hit a go-ahead triple in the final minute.

Lillard thinks he deserves his praise:

“That’s what you see in MVPs,” Lillard said, via Quick. “And obviously, I see myself at the top of the league. I’m one of the best players in this league, and I feel like I’m on that level. And the way our team is playing given our circumstances makes it even more obvious to me.”

It is tough to stop Lillard when it's “Dame Time.”

The 30-year-old has done his best to keep the Trail Blazers in the thick of the playoff hunt amid all the injuries. He should only attract more MVP consideration if the winning continues despite the injuries.