The Portland Trail Blazers obliterated the Cleveland Cavaliers by a final score of 141 to 105 on Wednesday night behind a typically strong performance from Damian Lillard. After the game, Lillard expressed gratitude to the Blazers fans for returning the stadium following a long layover due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
"When it’s fans in the building that creates a completely different environment. Especially in our building, we got the best fans … I’m excited to have our fans back in building."@brookeolzendam talks to @Dame_Lillard in tonight's @Biofreeze Top Performance Review pic.twitter.com/mvYR1bqdaV
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 6, 2021
Later on, Lillard clarified his statements with what might sound like criticism of the fervent Blazers fan base, but is actually profound praise:
"We don't have 'cool' fans, they care." — @Dame_Lillard
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 6, 2021
As you can see, he makes it clear that the Blazers fans care deeply about their team – a care that might border on obsession at times – but that that obsession is what makes them good fans above anything else.
Certainly, Lillard has rewarded those “caring” fans with six All-Star berths as well as trips to the playoffs in each of his seasons after his rookie year in 2012-13 – but he made up for that by winning Rookie of the Year.
Of course, Dame is likely most closely associated with his iconic “Dame Time” game-winners, in which he takes over the 4th or overtime of games and then delivers incredibly clutch shots, such as the likely most famous – his immensely deep game-winner over Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round in 2019.
That triple capped off a 50-point night for Lillard, and he “waved goodbye” to George and the Thunder following the shot. Of course, this happened in Portland’s home arena, so it’s no surprise that the Blazers fans are loyal and “care” about Lillard and the Blazers.
Follow Us
Subscribe