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A New Coaching Scheme Could Boost the Blazers’ Backcourt

When the average fan thinks of Damian Lillard, both now and forever, it’s likely that a few defining characteristics will come to mind. The cold-blooded, borderline-inhuman ability to rise to the occasion in must-score situations. The loyalty and the plus-minus that comes with it. Take your pick. But one aspect that sometimes goes unnoticed has been Lillard’s willingness to attach new wrinkles to his game on a season-by-season basis. He’s rewritten the second half of his career, almost solely through deepened 3-point range, he’s become one of the NBA’s premier finishers, and, though not quite elite, he has made strides defensively.