Damian Lillard says he wouldn’t join a superteam: ‘That’s just not who I am’

Damian Lillard has no problem with the formation of superteams in the NBA. But the Portland Trail Blazers guard said on SiriusXM NBA Radio Monday that’s not something he would do.

“If somebody wants to go join people and do that, it’s not against the rules. They can do it. It’s just more pressure to win when you do it. Some people say, ‘Oh, they had to do that to win it,’ but we play the game to win it. So when people do it, that’s their decision. I wouldn’t do it. That’s just not who I am.

“I might have too much pride for that or be too much of a competitor where I couldn’t bring myself to do it, but it also makes it more fun. You get to take a monster down and that’s always fun.”

As someone who plays with a chip on his shoulder, it’s not all that surprising to hear Lillard say he wouldn’t join a superteam. The competitor in him wants to take the hard road. But how long will he maintain his stance on superteams?

Kevin Durant tried for eight seasons to win a championship with Oklahoma City, and although he got close many times, it never happened for him. Now Durant is in Golden State, where the odds of him winning a championship are much greater.

Lillard has been in Portland for only four seasons. If by the time his contract is up in 2021 and the Trail Blazers haven’t won a championship, will he still be able to resist joining a superteam in order to win?

We’ll find out five years from now.

About Marcelo Villa

Marcelo is an associate editor at The Sports Daily, and has covered the San Diego Chargers for Bleacher Report. He also writes for Sportsdirect Inc.

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