For Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, the average day includes pull-ups beyond 30-feet, contested shots over long limbs — only five guards league wide have attempted more “contested” shots per NBA.com — and tons of “How did he make that?” questions from the opposition. But as USA Today columnist Mark Medina notes, those around Lillard don’t doubt him, largely for one reason: countless hours in the gym working on his craft.
The beef of Medina’s story focuses on the competitive-but-friendly relationship between Lillard and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, the game’s premier long-range assassins and the evolution of how their work ethic has made the 30-to-40 foot jumper a not so bad shot.