Lillard Shuts Down Speculation

In media availability following the Portland Trail Blazers’ practice, team leader and star point guard Damian Lillard once again shot down speculation that he might leave the team in the near future. According to Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report, Lillard’s answer was simple:

“I’ll answer that the same way I answered it on media day. I’m not leaving Portland. … It’s an easy thing and a popular thing to say but it’s not gonna happen.”

Trailblazers.com reporter and team insider Casey Holdahl had more to add.

“I’m not leaving Portland… Adversity is going to hit, there’s goong (sic) to be tough times. So if it starts off rocky or if it starts out as a struggle I won’t be happy about it, nobody would. But I’m not going to jump ship and bail out when that happens.”

Holdahl also noted that Lillard spoke for quite a while about wanting to be a part of the success of new head coach Chauncey Billups.