The Trail Blazers are an impressive 26-12 at Moda Center, and how Damian Lillard has responded this year to the mass exodus of his former starters is nothing short of inspiring. If Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard were not having such transcendent seasons on historically good teams, Lillard would be getting far more MVP buzz.
Lillard and his partner in crime, C.J. McCollum, give Portland possibly the NBA’s best backcourt besides Curry and Klay Thompson. He’s essentially a lock for most improved player, as he’s seen his points per game average skyrocket by 14 points compared to last season.