BLAZER DIFFERENCE IN THE WEST? CHARACTER

Blazer fan or sports fan, this Portland Trail Blazer team has something for everyone.

In the bigger world of NBA cities and stars, Portland is an after thought. Was anyone disappointed LeBron decided to go Laker instead of Blazer?

Will anyone be shocked if Kevin Durant decides to go somewhere else besides Portland?

Those two are making big mistakes by ignoring Portland?

Maybe.

Big stars who’ve been on the basketball radar since they were eighth graders need a big canvas, and it doesn’t get much bigger than the Lakers and the Knicks if Durant goes to NYC

Those two teams are the flagship franchises in a league that’s growing their world audience. Big city teams need big names and it’s not because their fans are too ignorant to find their own guys.

Except that’s what Portland did with Damian Lillard. You’ve heard of him, this Lillard? He’s been getting good press for his good play in the post season. But it’s more than his play, it’s the way he plays within the team.

For some of us, it’s more than his work on the court. Lillard has changed the mental landscape of some Blazer fans.

Instead of identifying with cultural shifts and mores and explaining his personal life based on embracing trends, Lillard works to show a better Portland, a better Blazer who goes out of his way to help bring guys here.

So far he hasn’t been named in ways Bill Walton showed up. In the media frenzy of the Patty Hurst kidnapping more than a few stories stunned the sports world, like Walton’s name.

No Blazer has been named in a Utah court.

Have you heard the recent news of NBA guys drag racing up Broadway, hanging in strip club parking lots, smoking chronic out of a pop can on the side of the road?

Lillard isn’t the one to give all the credit to, but he deserves it. Like Brandon Roy coming in and making room on a team of hard cases and changing the franchise, Lillard has taken the same road.

He seems to say, ‘be somebody we can all be proud of,’ when new guys show up. Leaders so those sort of things, the things leaders do.

Instead of ‘cut the check’ and checking out, Lillard engages.

He’s been helping the team instead of himself, giving credit to others instead of pumping his stats.

When is the last time it looked like Lillard needed a triple double instead of a win? Looking at you Westbrook.

Have you heard him complaining about anything? I’m sure he’s got opinions on as many things as you and I, but he’s got a sense of time and place.

The time is now. The place is the Western Conference Finals. This is the pro version of the college final four. It’s the semi-finals where some of the best games get played by the best teams.

Who will be watching? The Lakers and Knicks will watch. So will every other showcase city full of superstars enjoying their off season early.

What time is it? Lillard Time.

And maybe time to re-name the greatest Blazer of all time.