There is a popular saying that goes: “two things are certain in life: death and taxes”. Well, at least for NBA fans, there is most likely a third item that can be added to that list, which should go: death, taxes, and Blazers star Damian Lillard getting forgotten.

Well, it looks like Lillard is starting to notice, and is not too happy about what's been going on. In a recent interview on the Jalen & Jacoby show, the Blazers' biggest star and leader was asked about his take on this year's MVP race.

“I feel like I'm right there at the top. You know, I really feel like I'm in the mix for it, and when you consider how people are defended…I don't feel like everybody really watches these games, because if they did, they would see how I'm being face-guarded, full court, and double-teamed at half court, and trapped… a lot of people…are just not being defended the way I'm being defended, and I think I have a stronger case this year than I ever have. I think I'm deserving of it. That's just the truth.”

He does have a point. The Blazers are firmly in the NBA playoff picture with him at the helm, and Dame has managed to keep them there despite missing both his wingman CJ McCollum and starting center Jusuf Nurkic for a majority of the season.

Luckily, he does seem to be gaining some traction, as the most recent MVP race update on NBA.com ranks Lillard in the second spot, right behind Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. In the interview, Lillard mentioned that he's often forgotten because of his quiet nature and his team's very small market, which is true, so he should be pleased to be this high in the rankings, and rightfully so.

Injuries have forced various other candidates out of the race, and Jokic and Lillard (only two games missed) remain as the two hopefuls for the award that haven't been plagued by injury.

We'll see if the voters agree.