Damian Lillard’s Goals Include All-Star, Playoffs and All-NBA Team


Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels, heading into his second NBA season after winning the Rookie of the Year award. Lillard, 23, has never lacked in self-confidence, and is setting the bar very high for the 2013-14 campaign. Per Hoopsworld: “This offseason, Lillard will get back in the gym so that he can build on his outstanding first impression and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. At some point this summer, he’ll also train with NBA legend and fellow Oakland native Gary Payton. Lillard is currently participating in Team USA’s minicamp in Las Vegas, but after that he’ll return to his normal training regimen. Listening to Lillard talk about the aspects of his game that he wants to improve this summer, you would never know that he’s just several months removed from completing one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory. Add unwavering work ethic and desire for perfection to the list of qualities that separate Lillard from his peers and suggest that he’s poised for greatness. ‘Just keep working,’ Lillard said. ‘There are always things you can improve on. After watching a lot of film, there’s a lot of stuff that I noticed myself that I can improve on. All my workouts are focusing on stuff I can get better at: floaters, different finishes around the rim when I get into the paint instead of challenging bigs all the time, ball-handling, tighten up my handle, get more shots up, try to get my percentage up, being in better shape, just stuff like that, all the small things that I can improve on.’ Because Lillard expects to improve in so many areas and is now completely adjusted to the NBA game, he’s anticipating a big 2013-14 season and setting some lofty goals for himself. ‘First of all, I want to make the playoffs,’ Lillard said. ‘This team probably doesn’t have the make-up of a championship team, but you still want to compete for one. We want to make the playoffs. I want to try and make the All-Star team. I want to be an All-NBA player. There’s a lot of stuff I want to do.'”