Today, all 30 NBA teams voted on a return to play format that will tentatively begin on July 31st. The plan received overwhelming support as 29 teams voted in favor of it. The only team that was against the proposal was the Portland Trail Blazers. According to reports, some felt as though the 22-team format was unfair and that they would have preferred something with only 20 teams.
Many NBA fans were quick to judge the Trail Blazers for this decision although CJ McCollum eventually came out and defended the team's position. As McCollum explained, the Blazers' ownership group is extremely respectful of the players and that they are one of the few who care about what the players have to say. McCollum claims the team had concerns with the new format and that was reflected in their vote today.
"We play for an ownership group that actually listens to its players and has a backbone. We voiced what we felt was the best option and they followed our lead. I commend our front office and Jody Allen," McCollum wrote.
Regardless, the Blazers will now have to go to Orlando where they will look to compete for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They are three games back and if they can keep that gap close, there is a good chance they will be awarded with a play-in game.
Damian Lillard Explains What It’s Like Practicing Amid COVID-19 Fears
Damian Lillard is getting back on the court with the Blazers but it simply hasn’t been the same with everything that’s going on right now.
With Coronavirus cases trending downward, the United States and countries around the world have allowed their athletes to slowly but surely start training again. At this point, it remains to be seen as to when each individual league will return, but things are certainly taking a positive turn.
For instance, NBA players have been permitted to start training with their respective teams. In a recent interview with ESPN, Damian Lillard spoke about practicing with his teammates and how excited everyone was to see each other again.
“The whole first week was a breath of fresh air,” Lillard said. “On a certain level, it was exciting. You’re finally back on the court and you’re seeing everyone’s faces again.”
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Despite this, Lillard also noted that it has been difficult to focus as there are numerous health concerns involved. The virus has not been eradicated and everyone is anxious about potentially contracting it.
“The second week everyone is like, ‘All right, this is kind of weird,’” Lillard explained. “The excitement is gone and now it’s, ‘What going on?’ I haven’t had a personal experience with [COVID-19], but I know how real it is. There’s nothing excessive when you see the kind of toll it’s taking on the world.”
With Lillard’s experiences in mind, it will be interesting to see how soon the NBA decides to really come back.
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CJ McCollum Questions Donald Trump For Touting Disinfectant Injections
CJ McCollum wasn't too impressed with President Trump's recent health recommendation.
United States President Donald Trump has said a lot of weird things during his first term in the Oval Office. Perhaps his worst moments have come during the Coronavirus pandemic. Over 50,000 people have died in the country and a lot of those deaths could have been avoided had officials listened to health experts sooner. Regardless, Trump is trying to clean up the mess and reassure the public that everything is going to be okay.
Yesterday, Trump tried to do just that as he claimed that injecting yourself with disinfectants could kill the virus. Experts in the health community immediately condemned this position and today, the President backtracked saying he only meant to be sarcastic.
Now, Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum is speaking out about the President's blunder, asking how have we come to such a place in society.
Trump fans are now questioning the sanity of those who thought the President was serious. However, after four years of bizarre claims, it's certainly not a stretch to believe the President was being serious. Not to mention, he could have easily said he was only being sarcastic, as a cover-up for his ignorance. Unfortunately, we'll probably never know the real truth on that one.
As for all of you readers at home, please use your Lysol spray as intended and keep it out of your body.
Damian Lillard Speaks Out On The Threat Of Coronavirus
Damian Lillard recently gave his thoughts on COVID-19 and the hysteria surrounding the Coronavirus.
Damian Lillard has consistently proven himself to be one of the best players in the NBA and over the last couple of years, he has been one of the most vocal. Lillard is someone who stands up for the rights of the players while also voicing concerns whenever he sees fit. The latest hot button issue in the NBA is the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19. The NBA is contemplating drastic measures in order to limit the spread of the disease. These measures include playing games without any fans present.
While speaking to Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian, Lillard gave his in-depth take on the virus and the strategies he has undergone to make sure he and his son steer clear of the virus. As you can imagine, the last few weeks have been difficult.
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“Obviously, it’s concerning,” Lillard said. “Especially in the environment that we work in, we’re constantly high-fiving and signing autographs and greeting people. We’re always in the presence of thousands of people. So, you’re concerned for those reasons and then we’re around (the media) as well. … So, it’s kind of a concern, but you just got to do your best to take care of yourself, try to stay clean, keep your hands clean. For me, I’ve just been trying to keep myself and my son out of as many crowds as possible.”
Lillard isn’t the only player concerned about the virus and as it turns out, the executives are scared too. A meeting is being held on Wednesday where drastic measures could be enacted. If this is the case, the league could be in for an interesting few months.
Blazers’ Rumored Kevin Love Trade Proposal Revealed
The Cavaliers’ asking price was fairly high.
Numerous NBA teams were busy at the trade deadline this year as they were looking for ways to improve while also offloading some of their worst contracts. One of the teams that had a chance to make a splash was the Cleveland Cavaliers who were thinking of moving the likes of Kevin Love. Love has one of the heftiest contracts in the league and it’s clear he isn’t too interested in being in Cleveland anymore.
According to reports, the Portland Trail Blazers offered the Cavaliers Kent Bazemore and Hassan Whiteside but the Cavs weren’t interested. In fact, the struggling squad was looking for a first-round pick but there wasn’t a single team that wanted to make that move. This is why Love was never dealt, in the end.
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Per Jason Lloyd of The Athletic:
“The only one that I know definitely equated to just a salary dump. Portland offered Bazemore and Whiteside, which essentially would’ve matched Kevin’s salary. But both of those are expiring contracts and the Cavs would’ve received no real assets in return. Portland eventually sent Bazemore to Sacramento.
Most teams were telling the Cavs they’d need to include assets just to get them to take Kevin’s contract. The Cavs were asking for a first-round pick. No one even came close to that. I’d expect them to resume trade talks on Kevin this summer.”
Both the Cavaliers and Blazers are on pace to miss the playoffs this season. Had the Blazers acquired Love, their chances certainly would have gone up. Unfortunately, they may very well have to wait until next year to make a run.
Damian Lillard’s All Star Performance Plans Revealed After Injury
Dame D.O.L.L.A. isn't about to let an injury get in the way.
Damian Lillard went down with a groin injury last night and it was revealed that he would have to miss a couple of weeks. This, of course, means he will be missing the All-Star game which is certainly a big disappointment for him. Earlier today, it was revealed that none other than Devin Booker would be replacing him on Team LeBron. Lillard's injury was made interesting by the fact that he was slated to perform on Saturday at the skills competition.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, Dame D.O.L.L.A. still plans to perform despite the injury. Dame has released three albums throughout his music career and this summer, he released his latest effort, Big D.O.L.L.A. Fans were looking forward to his performance so this news should come as a welcomed surprise for those who thought he would skip out on the festivities altogether.
Lillard's absence from the game itself will certainly be disappointing when you consider how potent he's been offensively over the last few weeks. Lillard has been putting up some incredible numbers and has singlehandedly stopped the Blazers from sinking deeper to the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Surely, these next two weeks will provide him with a chance to rest and come back 100 percent as the team tries to make a playoff push.
Carmelo Anthony Praises ‘Incomparable’ Zion Williamson
"I don't really think he's comparable to anyone that I have seen."
When Carmelo Anthony entered the league in 2003, New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was just three years old. On Tuesday night, the two Jordan Brand ambassadors shared their court for the first time - and Zion left a lasting impression on the veteran All Star.
Following the Pelicans' 138-117 victory, during which Zion recorded a career-high 31 points with nine rebounds and five assists, Melo admitted that he has never seen anything quite like the 19-year old powerhouse. Says Anthony, "I don't really think he's comparable to anyone that I have seen. Someone who is as powerful as that, who jumps like that.”
Zion's quickness, explosiveness and leaping ability were all on full display at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday. He needed just 28 minutes to post his 31-9-5 stat line, something that only three other 19-year old have done in NBA history. Those three are: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Williamson is also just the third player with seven 20-point games in his first 10 career games over the past 30 seasons, joining Hall of Famers Grant Hill and Shaquille O'Neal. Williamson is only just getting started, but even he admits that he couldn't have expected such an electric start to his NBA career.
"I expect to make an impact, but I don't expect to do nothing like this," Williamson said after the win, per ESPN. "Just kinda look to come in, kinda fit, not try to mess up. My teammates and coaches are always pushing me, like be outside the box."
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Carmelo Anthony Recalls Final Conversations With Kobe Bryant
“You just called me and told me you were coming to the game Friday.”
Portland Trail Blazers star Carmelo Anthony broke his silence on the passing of Kobe Bryant on Tuesday night, as he shed some light on his final conversations with the Laker legend. In a heartbreaking instagram post, Anthony revealed how Kobe was planning to attend Friday night’s game between the Blazers and Lakers at Staples Center, and how proud Kobe was of his career resurgence in Portland.
Additionally, Melo recalled how the two recently joked about how hard Kobe was training his daughter GiGi and her teammates.
Melo’s full caption reads:
“I hate when I have so much to say, but I can’t put any of it into words. The times I have the most to say are the times that I can’t talk. I’m screaming inside but I can’t be heard. YOU don’t know how hard it is to try to pretend to smile when I have these clouds of emotions. YOU just called me and told me you were coming to the game Friday and that you were proud of me and “regardless of anything, stay true to myself and STAYME7O”
We were just laughing about how hard YOU was working GiGi and her teammates and I told YOU they need a day off ?? This pain is almost unbearable Champ! Why you bro? Why GiGi? Why leave Vanessa with this Sadness and Pain. WHY? This will never make sense to me. I know I’m not suppose to question GODs Will. I know GOD doesn’t make mistakes. It just seems like It always rains the hardest on those who deserve the sun.
There are moments in life when there’s simply NO words to describe the pain within. This is one of them. YOU will continue to be Loved. YOU will be missed. YOU will forever be remembered. YOUR legacy will live on FOREVER. OUR FRIENDSHIP will never be forgotten. I know YOU will be near, Even if I don’t see YOU.
PEACE KING!!! “There Are No Goodbyes. Where Ever You’ll be, You’ll be in Our Hearts” All Praise Due #STAYME7O“
The Lakers postponed their game against the Clippers on Tuesday night, but the team is expected to get back on the court this Friday as they host the Blazers at Staples Center. That game, airing on ESPN, is scheduled to tipoff at 10:30pm.
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Damian Lillard Reacts To His Career-High 61-Point Game: Watch
Damian Lillard had a field day against the Warriors.
There are some players in the NBA who can take over a game almost at will. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is one of those players. On Monday night, Lillard led his team to a 129-124 victory over the bottom-dwelling Golden State Warriors. This was a huge game for the Blazers as they have been struggling quite a bit as of late. Lillard's team was down for most of the game although he was able to score a career-high 61 points to secure the victory.
Lillard's statline was quite impressive as he also finished with 10 rebounds and 7 assists. His point total was a record for any Blazers player although he had the previous record so it only makes sense that he would top himself.
After the game, Lillard spoke to TNT about the win and how his performance was necessary for the team to get the win. Had Lillard not gone off like that, it's clear as day that the Warriors would have won.
“It was an opportunity to have a new career-high and to make right for the one where I missed the free throws a couple years ago,” Lillard said. “Just clinching the game, I felt like I had a great performance in a game that we needed to win, which is the most important thing.”
With the win, the Blazers are now 10th in the Western Conference with a record of 19-26.
Damian Lillard Delivers Effortless Response To Russell Westbrook’s Trash Talk
Dame laughs off Westbrook's 'can't guard me' trash talk.
Damian Lillard notched another win against his on-court rival Russell Westbrook on Wednesday night, as the Portland Trail Blazers walked out of Houston with a 117-107 victory. That's even more impressive when you consider that Westbrook is "impossible" to guard.
The Rockets' point guard was heard jawing at Dame after drawing a foul midway through the fourth quarter, "A foul is a bucket. Can't guard me. Impossible." As seen in the footage embedded below, that viral moment occurred while the Rockets were down by double digits.
Westbrook did finish with a triple-double, posting a game-high 31 points with 12 assists and 11 rebounds, but his efforts weren't enough to lift his team to victory. Lillard, meanwhile, paced Portland with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the win.
Following the victory, Lillard offered up a perfect three-letter response to Westbrook's fourth quarter trash talk.
The two All-NBA point guards have had their share of battles over the years, most notably during the opening round of last year's playoffs. As we know, Lillard won that battle, and the war, as the Blazers eliminated OKC from the post-season thanks to Dame's iconic 37-foot game-winner in Game 5.
Despite the on-court feud and the jabs on social media, Lillard insists that he and Westbrook are "really cool off the court." During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show following their playoff series, Dame explained, "Me and Russ are really cool off of the court. But when we get on the court, I don’t expect anything else from him and he doesn’t expect anything else from me. There’s no dislike."
