“You’re just gonna rot in Portland bro?” - Former NBA champion unimpressed with Damian Lillard refusing to sign with a title contender
Former NBA player JR Smith recently criticized Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal for their lack of ambition. Lillard and Beal committed to the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards this offseason despite being linked with a move to better teams.
Lillard signed a $122 million two-year extension, which will keep him with the Portland Trail Blazers until the end of the 2026-27 season. Beal signed a $251 million five-year supermax deal, including a no-trade clause with the Washington Wizards in free agency.
Bradley Beal’s 5-Year/$251 Million contract signed today has a no-trade clause, h/t @BobbyMarks42 https://t.co/kKP0vOUiqd
Given that both Washington and Portland have failed to compete in recent seasons, the two players' decisions came as a bit of a surprise.
On the 'No Chill with Gilbert Arenas' podcast, JR Smith said he respected Lillard's game, but criticized him for not wanting to move to a better team.
"Guess how I feel about Dame like I love Dame, I love his game, I respect him for you know, being doing what he's doing. But at the same time, it's like, you're just gonna rot in Portland, bro? Like you are unbelievable... Like, get me a bucket, he's gonna get it. He's showing up, he's gonna play hard as hell, and all of that."
Smith then shifted his focus to Beal.
"Brad (Beal)! He's nice, but I'm not about to rot in DC. Like, it's a nice place, the city is nice, but it's my career, I'm tryna win, bro!"
"Are you just going to rot in Portland?"
😬😬😬
Gilbert Arenas, @TheRealJRSmith & @KingJosiah54 are all HUGE fans of Damian Lillard, but with the pressure to win a ring in order to be called "great," what's his move? Watch here: youtu.be/_45xx3X4Ato https://t.co/dgzlveilJf
Will Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal's decisions impact their legacies?
Failing to win championships hasn't impacted the legacies of past legends. Allen Iverson, Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone cemented their spots in NBA history despite not winning a ring.
“Winning a championship here would mean the world to me. That would mean more than up, leaving, and playing with four other All-Stars. I firmly believe in my heart that I can win here.”
- Bradley Beal
(h/t @RealQuintonMayo ) https://t.co/UqDgJZXvH2
Lillard and Bradley Beal are both in the prime of their careers. They could've easily jumped ship and made the teams they joined contenders. However, they stayed put, committing to the teams that drafted them.
Winning an NBA championship in Portland remains the ultimate goal for Damian Lillard. 🏆 https://t.co/RR0Hi6hSjU
The road will be tough for them going forward. It isn't a path many players around the league have taken over the last 15 years.
As such, Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal could be remembered as players who chose to stay loyal to their respective franchises instead of taking the easy way out and moving to a super team.