Damian Lillard On Leading the Portland Trail Blazers, Fatherhood, and What Matters

Damian Lillard spoke with Paul Flannery of SBNation last week about leading the Portland Trail Blazers. In the interview, Lillard outlines his priorities as the face of the team, including his change in perspective after becoming a father.

It’s changed me as a person in that I just don’t carry stuff like I used to. If I have a bad game and on TV they’re like, Dame went 6-for-20 and they lost. I’m just like, you know, whatever. It’s ok, bro. You know what I’m saying?

Lillard also discusses the impact working with Special Olympics has had on his life, and how the current state of the NBA is different from what he considers important. While age is certainly a factor in his shifting perspective, he acknowledges the role that Rip City has played, too.

Our city is behind our team 100 percent. That’s who I play for. My job is to come out and help the team to be in the best position to win, and give them a good time and something to cheer for. That’s what I do. I work hard to do that and I go out and do that. We win. We’ve got a good environment, we’ve got a good coaching staff, we’ve got a good culture, and those things matter.

The interview with Flannery took place after shootaround at Emerson College in Boston, possibly right before Lillard ended up trapped in an elevator with several of his teammates.

You can read the interview here.

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