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We’ve seen Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard reaffirm his loyalty to Portland dozens of times by now, but that hasn’t stopped basketball fans from speculating that he may need to leave if he wants “NBA champion” listed among his career accolades down the road. A particularly active Twitter user, Lillard spent time responding to comments on Thursday morning and put a new twist on his familiar mantra.
I'm willing to not win it. If I can't build it where I am. https://t.co/u6AzTx208Z
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 4, 2017
Lillard wants to remain in Portland even if it means never winning a championship. Of course, he will do everything in his power to bring a championship to Portland, but chasing rings from destination to destination does not sit well with the two-time NBA All-Star.
The Trail Blazers drafted Lillard in 2012 and he has spent the first five years of his career in Portland. His team has reached the NBA playoffs in four of those five years, despite the departure of former teammate LaMarcus Aldridge, who now plays for the San Antonio Spurs. Lillard signed a 5-year, $120 million extension in July of 2015 and is under contact through the 2020-21 season.