Trail Blazers’ Leonard was told by Lillard, ‘We’re going to make a deep run’

The Trail Blazers are enjoying a rare break between games after ousting the Thunder in five games to open the NBA Playoffs. Regardless of the downtime, Portland’s cast of contributors haven’t lost sight of their goal to make noise in the postseason.

In the aftermath of Damian Lillard’s legendary 37-foot shot, reserve big man Meyers Leonard spoke the The Oregonian’s John Canzano about the Blazers’ playoff outlook. According to Leonard, Lillard spoke with him prior to the playoffs about how Portland was poised to advance.

Leonard said Lillard told him before the Oklahoma City series, “We’re going to make a deep run this year, I feel it, I know it. We have a special team.”

Leonard also opened up about his own role in the Blazers’ success against the Thunder.

“I really felt what I did in the series was very solid, in particular, Game 2. I’m proud to know I had an impact on the series and to be a part of that shot, Dame, it was just incredible man. The buzz in the arena. How good it felt... Dame hits a 40-foot step-back at the buzzer? It was incredible.”

Against the Thunder, Leonard averaged 9.4 minutes per game and shot 50 percent from the field.

You can listen to Leonard’s complete interview with Canzano by clicking here.