Photo: Peter Baba

While headlines may focus on Damian Lillard’s emotional return to Portland, the 35-year-old NBA veteran made one thing very clear during his press conference: this wasn’t just about being near family.

“When we all sat down and this idea started to move towards me signing back here, I’m going to look at the basketball situation,” Lillard said. “We play basketball and you want to win basketball games. A lot of people may look at it as a family decision, and obviously anybody would have their family be a part of a decision that they make. But this was just as much a basketball decision.”

After all, Lillard is a competitor. He’s been one since day one in the league, and even after sustaining an Achilles tear in April, his mind remains sharp and focused on what a team can build together.

He said he’s watched the Blazers from afar during his two-year stint in Milwaukee. What he saw impressed him.

“Looking at how the league is trending and how it’s changing, it’s not the same old thing no more,” he continued. “Young teams that guard and have depth and compete and are connected – this team has all of those things.”

Lillard clearly believes in the talent developing in Portland. He’s not signing on for a farewell tour – he’s signing up for a basketball project with real potential.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR