Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers have taken their game to the next level after the second half of the season, putting themselves as legitimate contenders in the Western Conference after a furious run after a clutch win over the Golden State Warriors right before the All-Star Weekend.

In a world of superteams and player alliances that have made brand new teams in an era of player control, Lillard offered that he'd rather chase a championship ring “the hard way,” bucking up next to his teammates and going all out for his Blazers in ways that would make a fan cry with pride.

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“I would like to win a championship as bad as anybody, but because of who I am, I’d get a lot more satisfaction if I got it the hard way,” Lillard told Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated. “If I can’t figure it out here and I never win one, I can live with the effort I put into it. I can live with it maybe not happening for me. I’m going to roll with this team regardless of what people may feel about our chances. I’m going to live and die with this.”
Lillard and running mate C.J. McCollum tried to recruit Carmelo Anthony last summer in light of his discontent with the New York Knicks after two futile seasons, but given the poor luck the Blazers have had luring free agents, the Oakland native has taken upon his very own hands to instill change in the culture of the organization.

Lillard is in line to lead the league in free-throw percentage this season, currently tied with Stephen Curry at 92.1 percent for the season — a career-high. With a firm hold of the third seed in the West, the Blazers now have a much better chance to make a deep postseason run and wound up in the NBA Finals, thanks to his relentless approach.