Friday, July 27, 2012

NBA News 2012: Blazers’ Lillard draws raves

Trail Blazers logo since the 2002–03 seasonTrail Blazers logo since the 2002–03 season (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Portland Trail Blazers have made a plethora of moves since Neil Olshey took over as general manager on June 5, none more important than taking Damian Lillard with the sixth pick in the draft.

Lillard, a 6-3, 195-pound point guard out of Weber State, stole the show at the Las Vegas Summer League with his sterling play, averaging 26.5 points and sharing league most valuable player honors with Memphis guard Josh Selby. Lillard is expected to step right in and start for the Blazers next season.

Portland has had summer league MVPs before. Qyntell Woods and Jerryd Bayless come to mind, and neither panned out with the Blazers. But Lillard is close to a can’t-miss prospect, according to those around the league.

“Lillard is going to be terrific,” Cleveland coach Byron Scott said.

“He has a very bright future ahead of him,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He has a chance to be special.”

“He plays the pro game — great speed, no hurry, knows how to play,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “He can shoot the ball, he can score when he wants to, but he also knows how to run a team. That’s nice.”

http://www.hoopsworld.com/blazers-lillard-draws-raves-for-summer-league-play

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