Bucks Zone

Report lists Damian Lillard as a superstar who needs an NBA title the most

Dame needs a title to solidify his status as one of the all-time greats.
Jonas Panerio|
© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Plenty of NBA superstars have finished their careers without an NBA title to their name. This includes Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Karl Malone, and Allen Iverson. While they have achieved incredible individual success and accolades, there is still a void that comes with not winning the ultimate prize in basketball. One player who’s now being mentioned in this conversation is Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks.

No ring yet

Lillard has established himself as one of the best point guards in the league since entering the NBA back in 2012. He is an eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, and former Rookie of the Year. 

Despite his impressive resume, Lillard has yet to come close to an NBA title. The closest he has come was in 2019 when the Blazers made it to the Western Conference Finals but were ultimately swept by the Golden State Warriors. Now, with the Bucks, Dame has undoubtedly the best chance of his career to finally win an NBA championship.

“You can tell he feels the urgency. After a career spent almost entirely outside the contender class with the Portland Trail Blazers, Dame pulled the trade-request ripcord and got himself moved to the Milwaukee Bucks,” Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes wrote about “Dame Time.”

Second fiddle?

With the Bucks being Giannis Antetokounmpo’s squad, will winning a title in Milwaukee give Lillard’s career the validation it deserves, or will he always be seen as second fiddle to the Greek Freak? It’s a valid question, especially considering how dominant Giannis has been in recent years, especially during Milwaukee’s run to the title in 2021. However, despite that potential cloud hanging over his head, earning an NBA title is better than heading to the sunset without one.

“Because Giannis Antetokounmpo is clearly the team's best player, and the Bucks have already won a championship, Lillard can't get complete validation by going all the way with his new squad,” Hughes asserted.

“That would still be better than ending his career without a ring, but nobody would put Lillard's hypothetical title with Milwaukee on the absolute top level of the NBA pantheon—unless he completely takes over the proceedings and averages something like 35.0 points per game en route to Finals MVP. In light of his habitual high-stakes heroism, maybe we shouldn't rule that out.”

Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton allege Damian Lillard missed his first four shots on the last rack on purpose

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO