Damian Lillard's focus is now on helping the Portland Trail Blazers build on last season's surprising run to the Western Conference Finals. With training camp just around the corner, though, the NBA's best rapper added a new track to his growing library.
Lillard, who goes by DAME D.O.L.L.A. as a musician, released “End Of Summer” on Soundcloud Monday morning, a freestyle invoking his on-court success, off-court persona, and status as the league's top crossover star. He even takes an implicit shot at Sacramento Kings big man Marvin Bagley, who initiated a rap battle of sorts with Lillard early in the offseason, one in which the Trail Blazers' franchise player came away victorious despite his younger counterpart's impressive flow.
Lillard released his third full-length album, Big D.O.L.L.A., in August to mass acclaim. While his previous work as an artist placed him firmly as an emcee, his latest album establishes Lillard as a far more versatile musician than any other players who moonlighted as rappers in the past. Big D.O.L.L.A. features tracks including the likes of Lil' Wayne and Jeremih.
The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, for which he was rewarded with a four-year, $196 million super-max extension in late June. Lillard averaged 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during the regular season en route to Second Team All-NBA honors, and cemented his status as arguably the league's most feared crunch-time performer with a walk-off 37-footer over the outstretched arms of Paul George to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder from the first round of the playoffs.
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