Portland Trail Blazers

Here’s what Damian Lillard’s trainer texted him to motivate him to turn Blazers season around

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

With a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, the Portland Trail Blazers currently find themselves avoiding the play-in tournament to get into the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

A big reason for that change in luck is thanks to the team winning six of its last seven games. The current surge comes right after a low point for the team in which it lost seven of eight contests. Of course, star Damian Lillard is at the center of the team’s success, and he recently credited his trainer for helping to motivate him to turn the season around.

“And in April, when the Blazers were in a stretch of losing seven of eight games, during which Lillard’s scoring dipped to 21.6 points and his shooting cooled to 35 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range, [Phil] Beckner gave it to Lillard straight,” Jason Quick of The Athletic wrote.

 

“‘He was sending me (film clips) game after game, and each game was labeled NGE,’ Lillard said. ‘Not good enough … not good enough … not good enough.’

 

“Said Beckner: ‘He’s strong enough and secure enough to let me challenge him.'”

Lillard has risen to superstardom in recent seasons and is widely considered to be one of the best guards in the NBA. He may also be considered the best performer in clutch moments.

Friday’s win certainly supported that reputation. With the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference on the line, Lillard dropped 38 points on a stunningly efficient shooting night. He went 12-of-18 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.

He also hit all nine of his free-throw attempts.

Though the Blazers will still have to finish out strong to maintain their shaky grip on the sixth seed, Lillard seems zeroed in.

That’s bad news for any team that will have to face the Blazers once the postseason begins.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan has worked as a sports writer covering NBA and NFL news since 2017. He's a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

‘Wtf’: Trae Young reacts to Rashad McCants saying he could score 81 points like Kobe Bryant

Back in January of 2006, former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant put on one…

2 hours ago

Rashad McCants says he could’ve won ROTY but had a coach who was ‘shaking in the motherf——g huddle’

Former NBA guard Rashad McCants was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the last lottery…

2 hours ago

Chandler Parsons says Jaylen Brown would be best player on over half of NBA teams, including some playoff teams

The Boston Celtics were without maybe their top player for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the…

3 hours ago

‘Spo gonna Spo’: Cavs player gives Erik Spoelstra his flowers after Heat’s near-upset in Game 2

The odds were stacked against the Miami Heat to pick up a win in Game…

3 hours ago

Report: Will Campbell landing with Patriots may depend on whether team gets ‘fair deal’ to trade down

As a consolation prize for a woeful 2024 season that was marred by losing, the…

3 hours ago

Report: ‘Most of the league’ has been contacted about Jalen Ramsey, including Rams, Lions and Eagles

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is one of the more notable players in the league…

3 hours ago