Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has plenty of respect for their opponent in the first round of the playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers and in particular, their leader Damian Lillard. With a 61-point performance in the bubble, Lillard became just second player in NBA history to score 60 points three times in one season, joining only the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.
Even with that, as well as winning the NBA’s MVP of the Seeding Games award, James still believes that Lillard’s greatness is underappreciated and underrated, in an interview with TNT’s Chris Haynes that will air during tonight’s game and on Inside The NBA after the game’s conclusion.
"One of the most underappreciated, underrated players that we have in our game."@KingJames talks Dame Lillard ahead of the Lakers’ first round matchup vs. the Blazers with @ChrisBHaynes. pic.twitter.com/9cz5e2HJtc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 18, 2020
Lillard averaged over 37 points in the seeding games and slowing him down, as well as the Blazers top-ranked offense so far in the bubble, is the top priority for LeBron and the Lakers. They will get their first chance to slow him down, which nobody else has had success with, in the bubble, tonight.
