TrueHoop TV: Blazers G Damian Lillard Predicts 46 Wins

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard joined Henry Abbott on TrueHoop TV to discuss a variety of quick-fire topics.

Lillard discussed his new role working with Special Olympics, he revealed that the highlight of his summer was going to Hawaii, he estimated that he took 10 days off total this offseason, he said that the best part of watching the 2013 playoffs was seeing Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry break out, he said he wants to steal the Shammgod crossover from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, and he predicted that the Blazers will win 46 games next year.

Here's a YouTube version of the interview via YouTube user ESPN. Hat tip: @ShemLL

Get your own prediction for how many games the Blazers will win right here.

Lillard also did a Q&A with Matt Moore of CBSSports.com right here.

Q: You've pretty much never had what people would consider "reasonable" or "moderate" expectations for yourself. You've come out and talked about wanting to be a All-Star, be one of the best players in the league. Is that something that comes from inside you, or have there been things that have pushed you?

A: I think it's always been internal. I always had high expectations for myself. If I go to a baseball field, if I'm playing with Major League Baseball players, I expect to play well. It comes from my family, too. They always made me believe it. Anytime I was playing basketball or football, they were telling me I belong out there. I started to take that attitude out there. Why not be an All-Star? I believe it can happen. As long as I believe it, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.

Q: The Rookie Transition Program is a pretty interesting initiative by the league. Do you think the guys get a lot out of that experience; does it really prepare you for what happens when you hit the league?

A: I don't think you can learn anything better than just experiencing it. That was the best learning experience we could have had. I think it's great for guys to come into the league. You don't know what to expect. They have judges come speak. They have guys that were athletes and went down the wrong path. You get a chance to see the ones that were successful, the ones that went the wrong way, and guys that were taken advantage of by an agent, or accountant. You won't come across that in your first season. It might open our eyes to something that might happen. It's a great thing.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter