Remember when Damian Lillard said he didn’t want to play if the Portland Trail Blazers had no chance at the playoffs? That feels like a long time ago. And everyone should be glad he did get that shot, well, except for maybe the Los Angeles Lakers.
Forget Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, it’s Dame Time now when it comes to the most interesting possible 8th seed in the NBA. Because Portland is once again whole with Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins back, not to mention the addition of a revitalized Carmelo Anthony, which has them resembling the Western Conference Finals team from a couple years ago much more than they do the sub par squad from this season.