With OG 3-point shooter Steph Curry sidelined in the 2019-20 NBA season, Damian Lillard took the league by storm with his long-range shooting. Despite an injury ridden season, Lillard managed to make it his career-high. Not just that, he had more long rage 3s this season than Steph Curry in his entire NBA career.
Of all his deep 3s, logo three-pointer became a staple. Lillard was taking these shots effortlessly in intense clutch situations. Although Steph Curry will remain the best shooter in the history of the NBA, Damian Lillard is forcing himself into the conversation with his improved efficiency and range.
“That’s wild bro…18 on the shot clock you pulling? I’ll do it if you do it!”
-Stephen Curry
Damian Lillard posted a video of him practising his logo shot on Instagram. In the comments section, Steph Curry hilariously challenged him to an opening night logo 3-point shootout. Curry proposed it to be in the final few seconds to make it even more interesting. Damian Lillard replied to his comment by graciously accepting the challenge.
The Golden State Warriors are set to play Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn Nets on the opening night however, Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers do not have a game scheduled on 22 December. The final regular-season schedule is not yet out so we must wait to find out which team Lillard is going to rain 3-pointers on.
Also Read: CJ McCollum Reacts to Trail Blazers Being Snubbed from ESPN’s 2021 Playoff Predictions List
Damian Lillard or Steph Curry: Statistically which player has an advantage?
Damian Lillard and Portland Trail Blazers were having an incredible season before his knee injury prior to the covid hiatus. Hanging on to the slightest hope of making the playoffs in the seeding games, Blazers entered the Orlando Bubble. They rallied past New Orleans Pelicans, Pheonix Suns, and Sacramento Kings to reach the play-in tournament. It’s fair to say Damian Lillard single-handedly carried them after Paul George and Patrick Beverly instigated him in one of the seeding games.
Portland closed out the play-in tournament in the first game itself knocking out Memphis Grizzlies. They startled everyone in the NBA after Game 1 victory over heavily favoured LA Lakers in the first round of playoffs. However, Lillard suffered another injury in Game 3 which finished their brief playoff stint in Game 5.
However, before all these injuries, Lillard was averaging career-high 30 points and 8 assists per game at 46.3% efficiency. He outperformed himself in almost all aspects when compared to previous year performances. In addition, he led long-range 3s stat in curry’s absence. However, even in his presence, Lillard might have retained this accolade in the 2019-20 NBA season.
It’s next to impossible to decide who will win this opening night logo 3-point contest is at all it happens. Damian Lillard has an edge statistically but the OG is well-rested and if we are to believe Steve Kerr his range looks even more deadly now. Despite numbers suggesting otherwise I will give Steph Curry higher chances of making it.
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