Damian Lillard has kept the injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers afloat in standings and he has flirted with the NBA MVP award for the majority of the 2020-21 regular season. Regardless of that billing, The Ringer’s list of the Top 25 Players in the NBA placed Lillard just outside of the top 10.
Sandwiched between Chris Paul and Luka Doncic, Lillard was listed at No. 11 in the latest rankings from The Ringer. Inside the rankings, Lillard earned superb marks for his late-game heroics and decision making.
The one shot, game on the line conversation can be a bit reductive, but it’s also revealing to see how opponents react to that premise.