Damian Lillard knows he's being part of something special, witnessing the return of Carmelo Anthony after a one-year absence from the NBA. Melo is coming off back-to-back standout performances since signing with the Portland Trail Blazers, and Lillard is soaking in every moment.
“I told him, when we look back on our careers, everybody won't be able to say, ‘I got a ring,' or ‘I was MVP,' ” Lillard said after the Blazers' 136-119 rout over the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Kerry Eggers of The Portland Tribune. “But everybody can have certain things. Being a part of a team is sharing special moments with each other. Being here for ‘Melo's' comeback and him being back in the league — moments like that, that's what the memories are going to be.”
Anthony is coming off a season-high 25 points in a win over the Chicago Bulls and his most efficient night of his career, canning 9-of-11 field goals en route to 19 points against his former team, the Thunder.
Lillard has taken a liking to Melo since he first arrived for the bulk of a six-game road trip, respecting the work that went into his comeback mission.
“I appreciate how humble he has been about all of this,” said Lillard. “He didn't bad-talk anybody about it over a full year. He just waited patiently and came back prepared. That says a lot about him.”
Melo is averaging 16.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, giving the Blazers the boost they need to turn it around. After losing the first three games he took part in, the Blazers have won two in a row and look to keep the streak going to get back on the playoff chase.
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