News for Damian Lillard - 2020 8 Category, $200 Cap, 4G/4F/2C

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Thu Jan 30 202019:57Paul, Lowry among the All-Star reserves, with 6 first-timers
The All-Star Game is going to have plenty of new faces.The NBA released the list of the players voted by the league’s head coaches as reserves for the Feb. 16 game in Chicago, including six who will be All-Stars for the first time.Kyle Lowry of the NBA champion Toronto Raptors is headed back to the game, as are Miami’s Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Houston’s Russell Westbrook and — for the first time since 2016 — Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul.The other reserves are all first-time selections: Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis, New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram and the Utah duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.Those six — combined with starters Pascal Siakam, Luka Doncic and Trae Young, whose spots were revealed last week — mean nine first-time All-Stars will be at the game.That's the highest number of first-time All-Stars in a decade.Among the notable omissions from the... [More]
Thu Jan 23 202017:46In tight race, Suns' Booker pushes into All-Star discussion
PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker has produced the kind of all-around numbers for the past few seasons that suggest he should be an NBA All-Star. He usually commands the respect of opposing defenses like an All-Star. His teammates and coach believe there is no doubt that he's an All-Star.Yet the fifth-year Phoenix Suns guard has never been an All-Star.That could change fairly soon. The 23-year-old looks like he'll be caught in quite a battle for the final spots in the Western Conference when the reserves are announced next week. The league's coaches will likely have several good players to choose from, including Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Brandon Ingram.If he makes it, Booker would be the Suns' first All-Star since Steve Nash in 2012. “I've said it for a couple years — my main focus is to turn around this franchise and get to the playoffs,” Booker said. “Obviously, (being an All-Star is) an individual goal of mine. I feel like I've played at that level.... [More]
Wed Jan 22 202019:06Does Lillard's big night signal turnaround for Blazers?
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — With a big night against Golden State, Damian Lillard signaled that he's asserting himself at a crucial point of the Trail Blazers' season. And where Lillard goes, the Blazers tend to follow. “There comes a time in the season where everybody's tired, everybody's worn out, everybody's physically and mentally drained," he said. "The players got to go out there and make their minds up, are we going to do this or not? And I think we're just, as a team, getting closer to that time. We've got to leave it all out there. We've got to go take it.”Lillard had a franchise-best 61 points — including 11 3-pointers — this week in Portland's 129-124 overtime victory over the Warriors.It was the most points for a player in the NBA this season, and it broke Lillard's own franchise record of 60 points set earlier this season against Brooklyn. Afterward, a flood of admirers ranging from reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic to Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson recognized... [More]
Fri Jan 17 202023:04Blazers' McCollum sprains ankle at Mavs, ruled out for game
DALLAS (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum sprained his left ankle in the first half at Dallas on Friday and was ruled out for the rest of the game.McCollum was injured in the second quarter when he drove to the basket and his foot landed on Dallas forward Maxi Kleber's foot as McCollum missed a layup.The loss of McCollum came after fellow guard Damian Lillard was cleared to play after being a game-time decision because of an illness. McCollum came in second to Lillard in scoring and assists for Portland at 21.9 points and 3.8 assists per game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Tue Jan 14 202001:53It's halftime in the NBA, and time to look at some trends
It’s halftime.The midway point of the NBA regular season arrives this week -- there are 1,230 games between October and April, and after Thursday night’s slate goes into the books 618 games will have been played with 612 left to go.Making statistical judgments after a few games, or even a few weeks, isn’t the wisest thing. But with 50% of the season done, it seems like appropriate enough of a sample size to point out a few trends.3’S, AGAINThe league records for 3-pointers made and attempted are going to get broken for the eighth consecutive year. But the growth rate in that department seems to be slowing down.First, the numbers: NBA teams combined to make 27,955 3-pointers last season and attempt 78,742, both of which are records. That was an increase of 8.3% on makes from 2017-18 and an increase of 10.4% on attempts.This year, the league is on pace to make more than 29,000 3-pointers and attempt nearly 83,000 of them. Both would be records, of course, but the increases over last season... [More]
Tue Jan 7 202003:20Westbrook set to return to face a Thunder team that is OK
Once Russell Westbrook headed to Houston, the Oklahoma City Thunder were supposed to be headed toward a rebuild.The team Westbrook returns to face this week doesn’t look like a team headed for the lottery. It’s playing like one Westbrook might see again in the postseason.The Thunder welcome back their former point guard Thursday, with both doing just fine since going their separate ways last summer.That’s not a surprise for Westbrook, given that he was sent to join former MVP — and one-time Oklahoma City teammate — James Harden on a high-scoring contender. He has scored 20 or more points in 12 straight games, with three straight of at least 30 late last month, and averaged 27.8 in that span to raise his average to 24.1.He said his return would be emotional because of how much Oklahoma City and the organization meant to him, but he didn't want to detail much leading into it. “I don’t want to get that much into before the game and on and on, but after the game we can discuss whatever you... [More]
Sat Nov 9 201902:02A rarity: Lillard, Russell both top 50-point mark in losses
A career-best for Damian Lillard. A career-best for D'Angelo Russell.And neither was enough, on a wacky Friday in the NBA.Lillard scored a franchise-record 60 for Portland in its loss to Brooklyn, Russell had 52 in Golden State's loss at Minnesota — and those efforts added up to an absolute NBA rarity. Friday became only the second night in league history in which multiple players scored at least 50 points in losses.The only other such day: April 9, 1978. David Thompson scored 73 points in Denver's loss to Detroit, and George Gervin scored 63 in San Antonio's loss to the New Orleans Jazz. That was the final day of the 1977-78 regular season, one where Thompson and Gervin were going for the league's scoring title.No scoring title was at stake Friday. It was merely a wild night."Obviously, Dame was exceptional tonight," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "Carried us, put us in a position to win the game."Lillard capped his 60-point effort, one more than his previous career best, with a 34-footer... [More]
Sat Oct 12 201923:00Davis hurt, Nets finish sweep of Lakers in China, 91-77
Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers did not get out of China unscathed.Davis will have tests Sunday to determine the full severity of a right thumb injury, which the Lakers have initially diagnosed as a sprain. He got hurt in the first quarter of the Lakers' 91-77 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday at Shenzhen in the finale of the NBA China Games series.Caris LeVert scored 22 points on 8 for 11 shooting for Brooklyn, which swept the two matchups between the clubs in China. Taurean Prince scored 14 for Brooklyn, and DeAndre Jordan grabbed 11 rebounds in 19 minutes.Avery Bradley led the Lakers with 14 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 11.The encouraging sign for the Lakers is that Davis — who has a history of being plagued by injuries throughout his career — continued to play for a few minutes after getting hurt while attempting to block a shot. He and LeBron James both shot 2 for 7 and scored six points apiece for the Lakers; James, like Davis, played the entire first quarter... [More]
Mon Sep 30 201919:33Blazers welcome new faces for 50th anniversary season
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Trail Blazers have a number of new players for Portland's 50th anniversary season— and a new resolve after their playoff run last spring.Joining the well-established backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum on Portland's roster are such offseason acquisitions as Hassan Whiteside, Pau Gasol and Kent Bazemore. The Blazers open preseason camp on Tuesday."I feel like it's coming together, naturally," Lillard said Monday at the team's media day. "Being together for some weeks now and playing pickup has just been cool. I think the environment that we've created over the years, guys come in and it's easy to get comfortable with it. I think that's what's happening."Last season the Blazers finished 53-29 and clinched the third seed in the Western Conference, earning home court for the first round — and a series with the Thunder. Portland wrapped that series up in five games, capped by Lillard's memorable walk-off 3-pointer, and advanced to the conference finals for the... [More]
Thu Jul 11 201919:29Jerami Grant hopes to help youthful Nuggets take next step
DENVER (AP) — Jerami Grant's introductory news conference turned out to be a real show stopper.Actually, more of a sound-check interrupter.Between rehearsals before an Ariana Grande concert Thursday at the Pepsi Center, the newly acquired Denver Nuggets big man chatted about how defense just may be his best attribute and how much was looking forward to playing alongside All-Star center Nikola Jokic.It was all music to the Nuggets' ears.The acquisition of Grant in a deal with Oklahoma City was the only significant change the Nuggets have made so far in the offseason. It could be just the move they needed to keep pace with the rest of the Western Conference."The year we're coming off of, to add a guy like Jerami, I'm as excited as I've ever been with any team I've been associated with," said Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who surrendered a 2020 first-round pick to the Thunder in the deal.The youthful Nuggets are banking on cohesion to improve on a season that saw... [More]
Sat Jul 6 201923:48Analysis: It's a new day in the NBA, and a welcomed change
LAS VEGAS (AP) — There is no favorite.This is what the NBA wanted. And needed.The biggest piece of valid criticism about the league in recent years has been it's predictable. Golden State got to the last five NBA Finals. LeBron James had made it there eight years in a row, four with Miami and then four more with Cleveland. Brooklyn used to be the 'other' team in New York, and the Clippers used to be the 'other' team in Los Angeles.No more.Welcome to a new NBA. If you think the Clippers can win it all next season, or the Lakers, or Utah, or Philadelphia, or Milwaukee, or Houston, or Denver, or even Golden State and maybe a few others, you're right.Technically, there is a favorite: The sports books in Las Vegas, after hearing the news that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are heading to the Clippers, listed them as the best bet Saturday to win the 2020 NBA championship. Yes, the Clippers. A team that has won exactly four playoff series since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. A team that had 12... [More]
Sat Jul 6 201918:48Analysis: It's a new day in the NBA, and a welcomed change
LAS VEGAS (AP) — There is no favorite.This is what the NBA wanted. And needed.The biggest piece of valid criticism about the league in recent years has been its predictable. Golden State got to the last five NBA Finals. LeBron James had made it there eight years in a row, four with Miami and then four more with Cleveland. Brooklyn used to be the 'other' team in New York, and the Clippers used to be the 'other' team in Los Angeles.No more.Welcome to a new NBA. If you think the Clippers can win it all next season, or the Lakers, or Utah, or Philadelphia, or Milwaukee, or Houston, or Denver, or even Golden State and maybe a few others, you're right.Technically, there is a favorite: The sports books in Las Vegas, after hearing the news that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are heading to the Clippers, listed them as the best bet Saturday to win the 2020 NBA championship. Yes, the Clippers. A team that has won exactly four playoff series since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. A team that had 12 consecutive... [More]
Tue Jul 2 201918:47AP Source: Simmons, 76ers negotiating a 5-year extension
Ben Simmons is apparently about to become the next recipient of a big commitment from the Philadelphia 76ers.The All-Star point guard and the 76ers are negotiating a $170 million, five-year extension, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither the team nor Simmons revealed any details publicly.ESPN first reported the negotiations between Simmons and the 76ers. The deal will begin in the 2020-21 season.Simmons will make about $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. Assuming the sides agree on what will be a full max, Simmons' salary for the following season would jump to about $29.3 million and eventually rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25.It's already been an offseason of big financial commitments for Philadelphia, which will sign Tobias Harris to a $180 million, five-year deal and add Al Horford on a four-year deal that could reach $109 million. Those deals cannot... [More]
Tue Jul 2 201918:17AP Source: Simmons, 76ers negotiating toward extension
A person with knowledge of the situation says the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons are negotiating toward a $170 million, five-year extension for the All-Star point guard.The deal will begin in the 2020-21 season, said the person who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither the team nor Simmons has revealed details publicly.ESPN first reported the negotiations between Simmons and the 76ers.Simmons will make about $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. Assuming the sides agree on what will be a full max, Simmons' salary for the following season would jump to about $29.3 million and eventually rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25.This move adds to a summer of big financial commitments being made by Philadelphia, which will sign Tobias Harris to a $180 million, five-year deal and add Al Horford on a four-year deal that could reach $109 million.Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft and wound up making his NBA... [More]
Mon Jul 1 201923:00Analysis: Point guards are getting valued, and rightly so
Point guards got paid.Much like the quarterback in football, the point guard is still a critical component in basketball, the on-court leader of a club in most cases — and in the opening two days of free agency, teams paid accordingly for that spot.Free agency wasn't even 24 hours old and more than $1 billion had been committed to point guards, led by the $196 million extension that Damian Lillard will be signing with Portland, the reported $170 million extension for Jamal Murray in Denver and the $141 million deals for Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker.There's never been an offseason in NBA history where point guards have gotten that much, and there's still plenty more left to be signed."I'm a leader in my own way," Walker wrote in an essay directed to his old fans in Charlotte and soon-to-be-new fans in Boston that was published by The Players Tribune. "I'm never going to shout anyone off the court, or get overly negative. It's not my style. But what I do is I take pride in making my teammates... [More]
Mon Jul 1 201916:10Analysis: Point guards are getting valued, and rightly so
Point guards got paid.Much like the quarterback in football, the point guard is still a critical component in basketball, the on-court leader of a club in most cases — and in the opening two days of free agency, teams paid accordingly for that spot.Free agency wasn't even 24 hours old and more than $1 billion had been committed to point guards, led by the $196 million extension that Damian Lillard will be signing with Portland, the reported $170 million extension for Jamal Murray in Denver and the $141 million deals for Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker.There's never been an offseason in NBA history where point guards have gotten that much, and there's still plenty more left to be signed."I'm a leader in my own way," Walker wrote in an essay directed to his old fans in Charlotte and soon-to-be-new fans in Boston that was published by The Players Tribune. "I'm never going to shout anyone off the court, or get overly negative. It's not my style. But what I do is I take pride in making my teammates... [More]
Thu May 23 201920:12Lillard, Kemba, LeBron among noteworthy All-NBA picks
NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden got the most votes, and Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker also were big winners when the All-NBA teams were announced.Those guards can cash in with supermax contracts based on their selections to one of the three All-NBA teams that were announced Thursday.LeBron James also was voted to the third team, tying the NBA record with his 15th All-NBA selection.Rounding out the first team were Stephen Curry, Paul George and Nikola Jokic, who was Denver's first All-NBA selection since Carmelo Anthony in 2010.Antetokounmpo and Harden were unanimous selections, receiving all 100 votes from a panel of writers and broadcasters who had to choose two guards, two forwards and one center for each of the three teams.Walker was the final selection but all that matters is that he made it. By doing so, he became eligible to receive a five-year contract extension worth about $221 million from the Hornets if he opts to stay in Charlotte, a reward the NBA put... [More]
Thu May 23 201915:32Lillard, Kemba, LeBron among noteworthy All-NBA picks
NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden got the most votes, and Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker were also big winners when the All-NBA teams were announced.Those guards can cash in with supermax contracts based on their selections to one of the three All-NBA teams that were announced Thursday.LeBron James also was voted to the third team, tying the NBA record with his 15th All-NBA selection.Rounding out the first team were Stephen Curry, Paul George and Nikola Jokic, who was Denver's first All-NBA selection since Carmelo Anthony in 2010.Antetokounmpo and Harden were unanimous selections, receiving all 100 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters who had to choose two guards, two forwards for each of the three teams.Walker was the final selection but all that matters is that he made it. By doing so, he became eligible to receive a five-year contract extension worth about $221 million from the Hornets if he opts to stay in Charlotte, a reward the NBA put in recently... [More]
Thu May 23 201914:52Lillard, Kemba, LeBron among noteworthy All-NBA picks
NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden were unanimous selections to an All-NBA team that could mean big payoffs for Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker.Both of those guards were voted to one of the three teams announced Thursday, making them eligible for supermax contract extensions from their teams.LeBron James also was voted to the third team, tying the NBA record with his 15th All-NBA selection.Rounding out the first team were Stephen Curry, Paul George and Nikola Jokic.Walker was voted a third-team selection to the All-NBA team and is eligible to receive a five-year contract extension worth about $221 million from the Hornets if he opts to stay in Charlotte. Lillard, a second-team selection, can get more than $190 million over four years with a new contract in Portland.The three All-NBA teams were voted on by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters, with two guards, two forwards and a center selected for each of the three teams.Philadelphia center Joel Embiid led the second team that along with Lillard included Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving.James and Walker headlined a third team that featured Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Rudy Gobert.
Tue May 21 201920:02Trail Blazers' cohesiveness helped them to conference finals
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers faced a number of challenges on the journey to their first Western Conference finals in 19 years.But there was one they couldn't overcome: The Golden State Warriors.Portland's run in the playoffs, which captured fans' imaginations after Damian Lillard's buzzer-beating 3-pointer to clinch the opening-round series over the Thunder, ended with a sweep by the defending champions."We put together a great season and we put ourselves in position to go to the Finals," Lillard said. "I think every other team in the league would wish they could be in our shoes; not only making the playoffs but playing for an opportunity to get a chance to go to the Finals. We just ran up on a team who has been there the last four years."Portland was coming off two straight seasons that ended with first-round playoff sweeps. The team, which had surprisingly little turnover over those years, came into the season unified and determined to take the next step.But before... [More]
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