In the Portland Trail Blazers most recent game against the Golden State Warriors, Damian Lillard passed Terry Porter on the franchise’s all-time scoring list for third overall.
Although the Portland Trail Blazers 125-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday night was mostly a disappointment, there was one bright spot. With a three-pointer late in the third quarter, Damian Lillard passed Terry Porter for the third most points all-time by a player in a Blazers uniform.
Lillard currently sits with 11,341 points only 19 games into his seventh season as a Trail Blazer. Only two players have more points as members of the organization: Clyde Drexler (18,040) and LaMarcus Aldridge (12,562).
The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman recorded Porter’s thoughts on Lillard’s milestone achievement. Porter said:
“He’s really done a great job and he’s an amazing player. Records are meant to be broken. I don’t get disappointed. I embrace it…”
If Lillard continues his career in Portland, let’s hope other Trail Blazers greats have the same attitude as Porter. It’s likely he will continue climbing the ranks, especially as he passed Porter in a fraction of the games. Where it took Porter 758 games to reach his scoring position, Lillard has played in only 488.
Dame has enjoyed pretty wonderful health throughout his Portland tenure, and he is usually good for about 1800-2000 points per season. In a conservative estimate in which he faces no injuries, Lillard would pass Aldridge by the end of this year.
If he continued at this pace, he would pass Drexler in roughly four seasons.
But it’s not just with points that Lillard has made his mark on the franchise. He also ranks third in all-time assists with 3,046 and is already the leader in three-point field goals made with 1318.
Lillard told Freeman:
“My thing is, I want to be the best Trail Blazer period, the best Blazer ever. I want to be the best player that’s come through here, that’s had the most impact. And when I say it, of course I want to be the all-time leading scorer, all-time leader in assists. I want to win a championship. But, also, I want to make the biggest impact to the city period…
As Lillard continues to rack up more prestige, awards, All-Star selections, points, assists, wins, and success in Portland, he will position himself to reach his goal as the greatest Blazer ever. While he may not pass Clyde Drexler in some fans eyes, he will undoubtedly be in the conversation.
Here’s to another seven amazing, milestone-filled seasons with one of the most prolific point guards in the NBA.
*For the full quotes, check out Freeman’s story.
