Damian Lillard gave Portland his all.
The kid from Oakland who had doubters left and right who needed Weber State just to give him a college basketball chance at all, the man that the basketball world only needs now to refer to as Dame, did everything he could to make the Trail Blazers a winner.
Lillard’s Portland highlight reel is epic, especially when you find his legendary buzzer beaters, the stepback against Houston, the wave goodbye against Paul George.
He was everything for the Trail Blazers, and in return, the Trail Blazers became everything for him.
MORE: Bucks may cut ties with Giannis Antetokounmpo
So a few years ago, when everyone acknowledged it was finally time for Dame to move on in pursuit of that elusive NBA title, it wasn’t a moment of hard feelings. It was a chance, Portland fans hoped, for Lillard to show the rest of the world just how special he was, something they already knew well.
He ended up in Milwaukee, to team with generational superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The partnership took a while to get off the ground, but they ended up clicking.
Despite their growing chemistry, Dame and Giannis couldn’t climb the mountaintop. And then early in this season’s playoffs, Lillard tore his Achilles.
MORE: Lakers make ‘insane’ decision that could jeopardize future with LeBron, Luka
The Athletic’s Jason Quick wrote a brilliant story in late April about how the people of Portland were mourning Lillard’s injury as if he still played for the Trail Blazers.
That feeling must exist again in Portland on Tuesday. The Bucks just stretched-and-waived Lillard to make room for free agent Myles Turner.
Lillard will be out for the 2025-26 season with his injury, and now he’s without a team.
MORE: Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear is the reason the Bucks cut Damian Lillard
From a basketball perspective, it makes sense. From a human perspective, it stinks.
The Blazers gave Lillard a chance to spread his wings. And he tried, as hard as he always does. But in the end, Milwaukee clipped those wings.
Lillard is facing the battle of his career to get back from his torn Achilles at his age to try and be a star again and chase one more title.
That chase will eventually happen somewhere other than Milwaukee.
And no matter where it is, Portland will be watching, and rooting.
MORE NBA NEWS:
