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Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard knows Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center is going to be emotional. After all, it is the first game the Purple and Gold are playing since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi.
Like he was to so many players in the league, Bryant was Lillard's idol growing up:
“For me it’s going to be emotional because I grew up idolizing Kobe, I grew up a huge fan of Kobe and cheering for Kobe and eventually becoming a peer of his and playing against him and getting cool with him and being in contact with him,” Lillard told USA TODAY Sports.
“All of those things makes for a very sad and emotional night. It’ll be a tough game to play. But I’m choosing to honor him and coming out and competing and showing my respect in that way.”
The Blazers are 21-27 on the season and outside looking at the playoff picture, while the Lakers are 36-10 and remain atop the Western Conference standings.
Lillard is averaging 29.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists on the season for the Blazers. He's shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 88.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Dame was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve on Thursday.
Expect all the players playing in Friday's game at Staples Center to be emotional and motivated to put on a show for the late Kobe Bryant.
