Damian Lillard made the first official statement on the new Blazers’ head coach Chauncey Billups regarding his skills as a coach.
When asked about his first impressions of Billups, Lillard said he appreciates his coaching style. The Blazers’ star praised Billups for coaching ‘smarter instead of harder’.
“It’s a player’s mind. Smarter instead of harder,” Lillard said during Tuesday’s media availability. “Like, ‘Why would you do this when you could be doing this?’ He’s thinking the game like a point guard.”
After a disappointing ending in last year’s playoffs, Lillard is hoping for the Blazers to be among best teams in the league this season and compete for a championship.
Portland hopes Billups could be the answer to its last year’s shortcomings during the regular season and the NBA Play-offs.
The Oregon franchise lost to an injury-riddled Denver squad in six games. As a result, the Blazers parted ways with veteran head coach Terry Stotts.
Billups will make his unofficial debut with the Blazers on Oct. 5 vs. the Golden State Warriors.
