Portland Trail Blazers All-Star point guard Damian Lillard says he and Russell Westbrook āneverā hated each other.
During the first round of the 2019 playoffs, the Blazers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. Lillard and Westbrook had a back-and-forth in pretty much every game, prompting everyone to think the two superstars didn't like each other.
It's clear, though, Lillard and Westbrook were just two competitors going at it on the court in the postseason. The Blazers love that Lillard doesn't back down from anyone in the NBA.
Back in April, Damian Lillard said he and Russell Westbrook are āreal coolā off the court. As we all know, Westbrook doesn't play nice with any opponent on the basketball court. The same goes for Lillard. The two point guards are trying to win at all costs and don't have time to be friendly.
With Westbrook on the Houston Rockets now, the Rockets are title contenders. The Blazers, led by Lillard and guard C.J. McCollum, will try and enter that elite status in 2019-20. As of now, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Rockets and Utah Jazz are considered the best teams in the Western Conference.
Lillard and Westbrook will continue to have fierce battles on the court moving forward. Games between the Blazers and Rockets figure to be must-see TV next season.