Damian Lillard makes a case to etch his name among special class in NBA: “I don't see why I'm not clear-cut in that discussion”
Damian Lillard believes that his name deserves a top spot in the conversation for the greatest shooter of all time.
That means above the likes of Ray Allen and James Harden.
The Portland Trail Blazers point guard is known for his "Dame Time" shot selection from much deeper than most.
Lillard acknowledges Steph Curry as the greatest shooter of all time but questions why his name is not right behind him on the list. Dame believes he deserves the second spot.
“Obviously, I think Steph is the greatest ever, but I think after him, I don’t see why I’m not clear-cut in that discussion,” Lillard said.
Curry passed Ray Allen’s record of 2,973 all-time 3-pointers last season. Steph now sits at 3,248 and counting while shooting 42.8% from deep. Insane.
Lillard sits eighth on the list with 2,223 3-pointers and counting, shooting 37.3%. This season, he has increased to 39.% accuracy from deep.
It is evident that Steph holds the No. 1 spot with no contention. But Lillard is making a case that he is better than Allen, which might be debatable for some.
Ray Allen finished his 18-season career having shot 40.0% from 3-point range. Allen was a different breed from deep, and it even took Curry a while to cement his name above Ray.
Lillard remains one of the most lethal deep threats of all time, but some may downplay his greatness due to not having a championship.
Ray Allen has two championships and held the all-time 3-pointer record for a very long time. Curry has four championships and one Finals MVP award and now stands with the all-time 3-point record.
Dame speaking facts? 👀 https://t.co/cQnPswckTg
Does Damian Lillard deserve to sit as second-greatest shooter ever?
Damian Lillard has taken shots from unknown depths, including many game-winners. It is not called “Dame Time” for just any reason. The man has built an entire persona from being one of the most confident deep threats in the league.
However, some people on social media disagree with Lillard being in second.
This example below uses Dame’s lower accuracy from deep as a reason why he should not be considered.
@BleacherReport ah yes, the career
*checks notes*
37% from 3 shooter is totally in the conversation for second best ever
But then in the same handle, does someone come to the defense of Damian Lillard.
Maintaining a 37% average from deep with Dame’s shot selection is crazy when you think about it.
The amount of times Lillard pulls from the logo, or deep in the corner, and makes the shot — or wins the game — is absurd. That 37% should be respected in regard to that selection.
@aldquarantino @BleacherReport volume/context matters. he takes threes from the deeper than most and mostly pull-up: notoriously more difficult than catch and shoot. 37% on his shot selection is world class. especially for never being in a fluid offensive scheme designed to create high percentage 3’s.
In mentioning both Lillard and Curry’s shooting, we take it back to the absolute clinic they put on in the 2021 All-Star Game, when they were pulling up from half court just to one up each other in good spirits.
The limits of these two are both unheard of. If we are talking strictly about lethality from unknown depths – accuracy and championships aside – Lillard has a good argument.