In May of 2017, the Professional Basketball Writers Association chose Damian Lillard to win the Magic Johnson Award, given annually to a player who displays excellence on the court and cooperates with the media. Tonight, Lillard will accept his award ahead of the Trail Blazers’ matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The award is well-deserved. Lillard is not only the Trail Blazers’ vocal leader on the floor, he is the most insightful off of it. He provides full, detailed answers to all kinds of questions and is seldom unavailable to speak. His accommodation makes reading about the Trail Blazers and writing about the Trail Blazers a pleasurable experience.