NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Damian Lillard wants a divorce from the Portland Trail Blazers and according to reports, he only has one team on his wish list—the Miami Heat. Does this remind you of anyone? Aaron Rodgers comes to mind.
It was widely speculated that Rodgers wanted to depart from the clutches of the Green Bay Packers this offseason. It was just a matter of if he would retire or seek a trade elsewhere. For months, the rumors had Rodgers going to the New York Jets but the main problem was that no one besides the media was saying anything. Reports after reports were that Rodgers was meeting with the Jets and that a possible deal was in place but it was quiet on all fronts.
Fans of the Jets, Packers, and the NFL as a whole were left wondering and watching Social Media and various Sports Outlets just waiting for a deal to be done. Every day it was something new but no one heard Rodgers say he wanted out or wanted to go to the Jets. Aaron Rodgers was called selfish among other names because he did not make a statement. But then he finally came clean and stated that he wanted to go to the Jets. Problem solved.
This is what’s going on with Damian Lillard now. The noise is coming from everyone except Lillard. What makes this a bit more alarming than the Rodgers situation is that for years, Lillard has said all the right things regarding staying in Portland and not wanting to join any of the Super Teams. However, with his supposed request to only join the Heat, he’s coming off worse than Rodgers and no one is calling him out on it the way they did the All-Pro QB.
Despite his loyalty, Lillard does not deserve a pass here. He didn’t say he wanted to go to the Houston Rockets or Indiana Pacers, Lillard wants to join a team that went to the NBA Finals this past season and a team who has been to 3 of the last 5 Eastern Conference Finals.
Joining Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will make them a Big 3. The exact same thing Lillard has been against. His main thing was that he can’t stop the Blazers from sending him anywhere but him supposedly targeting the Heat, well, that says about there.
Damian Lillard has gone on record this week with cryptic tweets saying people speaking on things they know nothing about. Well, Lillard, please feel free to clear all this up. You can go on Social Media or any sports outlets and say you want out of Portland and that Miami is your preferred destination. It’s really that simple. Ask Aaron Rodgers for advice if you need any.
Where Is Damian Lillard Going
Lillard is a great talent but we’re starting to see some cracks in his armor with all this going on. His loyalty is a great trait to have but it’s turning out to be his biggest flaw.
Yes, it took Rodgers some time to make his intentions known but he still did it. If Lillard is bothered by the rumors surrounding him, then he can easily put a stop to all of it. If Miami is not the only team on his list, then say that. Until then, we’re left to speculate whatever we want because that’s the position Lillard put us and himself in.
And no, the Blazers don’t owe Damion Lillard anything. Are they just supposed to trade away a franchise player for crumbs just because? Lillard gets to go where he wants while the Heat are looking to lowball them because rumors out here are that he wants to be in South Beach. The Blazers must think about their future and not Lillard’s feelings. This is a business. Let’s not ever forget that.
If the Orlando Magic offer a better deal, why would they turn that down? According to reports, if the Blazers trade him anywhere other than Miami, then the new team will be getting an upset player. That’s not a good look for Lillard. While he may not have said that, his agent and others and painting a picture as if he did. And that alone is reason enough for Lillard to speak up. The same way Aaron Rodgers did.
