Is Damian Lillard Ready to Make a Splash in MVP Voting?
This could be the season where Damian Lillard finally receives MVP attention
Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers had a very impressive 2015-2016 NBA season. A team projected to win twenty-six games ousted all doubters to finish with forty-four wins and a fifth seed in the Western Conference. The young Trail Blazers’ roster was led by their superstar point guard Damian Lillard. The team lost four starters and a sixth man. They were expected to fold over and begin the rebuilding phase. Lillard accepted the challenge and led the Trail Blazers to an unforgettable season.
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Lillard, who finished sixth in scoring and eighth in assists was lethal all year while playing 36 minutes a night received all NBA second team honors. He led a Trail Blazers team that was projected to be a lottery team to a playoff series victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. With these remarkable statistics Lillard didn’t crack the top five in MVP voting. He managed to receive a few fourth and fifth place votes but nothing to excel him above any of the other candidates.
If the Trail Blazers surpass expectations and win fifty or more games commanded by Damian Lillard, where does that put him in the MVP race? Lillard is a lone superstar which is why he is so valuable to his team. Stephen Curry had Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Kawhi Leonard had LaMarcus Aldridge. LeBron James had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who were fourth and fifth in voting, had each other. All these candidates who finished ahead of Lillard had superstars alongside of them. Lillard was accompanied by a group of young, unproven players.
The situation is the same this year. Lillard entering his fifth season watched as this offseason as more superstars aligned. Durant leaving the Thunder and joining the Warriors makes it nearly impossible for any Warrior to win the MVP award. The roster is loaded with a plethora of talent. Kawhi Leonard already had Aldridge and will be joined by Pau Gasol as well. If the Trail Blazers improve on last year’s season and manage a three or four seed in the Western Conference, it would be ridiculous for Lillard to be left off of MVP ballots.
The 2016-2017 NBA season is right around the corner and Lillard and the Trail Blazers are poised to improve on what was already an incredible season. The Trail Blazers have the most returning minutes out of all the other NBA teams. This team has incredible chemistry and seem to enjoy playing together. If Lillard continues his excellent play and continues to improve his statistics, there is no reason he will not be considered one of the five NBA MVP candidates when the time comes.
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