How Did Damian Lillard Go Scoreless in the 4th Quarter as the Warriors Rallied to Win Game 2?
By Jason McIntyre
What makes an NBA superstar? Mark Cuban recently said Kevin Durant was a superstar (no argument), but Russell Westbrook wasn’t (argument).
What about Dominique Wilkins? He was the Human Highlight Film, but was he a superstar? Can one be a superstar and never reach the Conference Finals? (Team sport, I know.) The discussion makes for a spirited debate, and there’s no right or wrong answer.
What about Damian Lillard?
He’s an All-Star, had a memorable, clutch, playoff moment, and in four years went from Weber State to 25-point scorer nightly in the NBA.
But superstar?
Not yet. After hitting a 3-pointer to end the 3rd quarter in Game 2, putting the Blazers up 87-76 on the road, Lillard didn’t score again.
In fact, Lillard was a meek 0-for-3 in the 4th quarter. How does that happen? If he’s 1-for-10 and struggles, that’s fine – it happens. (See Michael Jordan at the end of a collapse for the Bulls in the playoffs against Orlando.) But to only take three shots as your team is blowing an 11-point lead on the road?
It’s not only on Lillard, obviously – the coaches have to get their superstar open, have to run plays for them, need to get them the ball. At a minimum, you want the ball in Lillard’s hands, creating offense (one assist in the 4th quarter) Either way, it’s completely unacceptable to have 25 points through three quarters … and end with 25 points.
This means, of course, Lillard will drop 47 and the Blazers will thump the Warriors in Game 3 at home, right? [Shot Chart via JT]