Much of the narrative surrounding Damian Lillard during the 2017-18 season concerned his (some would say) snub from the 2017 All-Star Team, and whether Lillard would go under appreciated yet again. But through an increased level of play, and a better than expected season by his Trail Blazers, Lillard found himself an All-Star for the third time in his career.
Since achieving that milestone, talk has shifted to Dame’s name being included in first team All-NBA and MVP lists, both honors he has yet to receive. So with tensions mounting as postseason play begins, Lillard is poised to shift into a new gear and solidify his name alongside the greatest current players in the league. Talking heads around the country seem to anticipate that, and here’s what they have to say.
Lillard himself, in a wide-ranging feature from SB Nation’s Paul Flannery, didn’t mince words:
It’s worth mentioning Flannery has Dame in his first team All-NBA ballot.
Ben Golliver in Sports Illustrated has Lillard first team, as well as fourth in line for MVP:
Writing for The Ringer, Kevin O’Connor nudged Russell Westbrook and his triple-double average above Damian, knocking Lillard down to second-team All-NBA:
At ESPN, Zach Lowe get the jokes in before the inevitable, placing Dame in his first team vote as well:
All three ProBasketballTalk writers were unanimous in voting Dame for first team.
Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post has Lillard first team All-NBA as well as fourth in his MVP ballot, between Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant.