Damian Lillard is 531 factors shy of passing Clyde Drexler for the Path Blazers all-time scoring file. After all, Drexler set the franchise scoring file in his twelfth season.
For the 2022-23 season, Lillard is projected to personal the group’s all-time scoring file in his eleventh season. Final season, the six-time All-Star solely appeared in 29 video games resulting from an belly damage. Even then, he nonetheless scored 695 factors.
By 10 seasons, Massive Recreation Dame has scored 17,510 factors. In 12 seasons performed with the Path Blazers, Drexler logged 18,040 factors.
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After a apply on Friday, group reporters requested the 10-year veteran if breaking the file issues to him. “This feat would imply so much to me,” replied Damian Lillard.
“Simply the respect I’ve for the group and for Clyde and the way nice of a participant he was. I feel it reveals simply how productive I’ve been all through my profession. It could actually be an honor.”
Moreover, within the 2018-19 season, Dame averaged 25.8 factors, 4.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest in 80 begins. To not point out, he scored a career-high 2,067 factors in a single season.
In 67 appearances through the 2020-21 season, Lillard averaged 28.8 factors, 4.2 rebounds, and seven.5 assists per sport. He additionally completed with 1,928 factors.
Damian Lillard might personal the Path Blazers all-time scoring file within the 2022-23 season
Clyde additionally spoke with one among our analysts at Basketball Insiders concerning the Path Blazers all-time scoring file. “You and I do know information are made to be damaged, however I can’t consider a greater participant or particular person to interrupt the file than Dame,” mentioned Drexler.
“He exemplifies being a group participant and going about his enterprise in knowledgeable manner. I’ve nothing however admiration and respect for him.”
“When he comes near getting the file, and if our schedules align, I’d like to be there to assist out in any manner I can. That’s a pleasant milestone to attain. I’m trying ahead to him undertaking that.”
With a full slate of video games arising on Martin Luther King Jr. Day subsequent Monday… look again at Damian Lillard’s #MLKDay scoring file efficiency of 61 PTS from 2020. #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/oNxySdoPNJ
— NBA Historical past (@NBAHistory) January 13, 2022
Within the 1987-88 season, Drexler averaged 27 factors, 6.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and a couple of.5 steals per sport. He appeared in 81 video games as properly.
By the top of the season, the guard scored a career-high 2,185 factors. For the 80s, that was fairly an accomplishment. The sport has modified a lot since then. Damian Lillard would agree.
Drexler went on to obtain 10 All-Star alternatives, an All-NBA First-Staff choice (1992), two All-NBA Second-Staff alternatives (1988, 1991), and two All-NBA Third-Staff alternatives (1990, 1995).
Plus, Drexler gained an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995. And the Path Blazers legend gained a gold medal on the Dream Staff, the 1992 United States Olympic group.
Clyde the Glide was additionally chosen for the NBA fiftieth and 75 Anniversary Groups. His No. 22 jersey was retired by the Path Blazers. In 2004, Drexler was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame.
Moreover, Damian Lillard is already one of many Path Blazers’ all-time greats. Successful an MVP or an NBA championship would solely add to his legacy.
