Damian Lillard eyeing entry into the NBA as a starting point guard
Weber State’s Damian Lillard is an ambitious young man, but he has got the skills to back up his words.
The youngster wants to go from being a college basketball player to a starting guard in the NBA, all in one year. And Lillard seems to be climbing the draft board as well.
He was invited to practice for the Sacramento Kings, who have a #5 pick in this year’s NBA Draft. An invitation does not mean the Kings will pick him but it does look good on his resume and indicates that he is being taken seriously by teams with top picks.
While talking to the Sacramento Bee, Lillard said:
“I think I can be a really good player. I think I can start in the league. All I can do is keep working. I try not to say I’m going to do this or do that. I just want to keep working, get better and see where it takes me. I definitely believe I can be a starting point guard.”
Lillard is regarded as the best point guard in this year’s draft class. He is following in the footsteps of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook by presenting himself as a shoot first point guard. The trend of shoot first point guards has exponentially increased after the success Rose and Westbrook have had in the league and the way they have helped their teams in the path towards success.
Damian has nearly the same style of game that Rose and Westbrook have, and penetrates into the paint area quite well. He also has a very good shooting range. The one thing missing from his arsenal is his ability to be the general on the floor and lead the team. He also needs to get better at making plays for his teammates and helping them play better.
Lillard had a great few days at the NBA Draft combine in Chicago. Initial reports suggest that he impressed quite a few people over there and his interviews were successful.
Although Sacramento are working him out, there is little chance they will pick him up at number 5. They already have rising point guards in Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas and number 5 is just too high for Lillard.
He is anticipated to be a number 10th pick for the New Orleans Hornets. That would have the Hornets landing number 1 pick Anthony Davis and a new point guard in Lillard. However, the Toronto Raptors have the number 8 pick and the Portland Trail Blazers have the number 11th pick and he could easily be picked up by one of those teams.
Lillard’s future in the NBA looks bright as he attempts the progression from small town college basketball player to NBA glory.
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