Damian Lillard shocked the NBA neighborhood by returning to the Portland Path Blazers after his Milwaukee Bucks buyout.
Lillard rejected overtures from huge names just like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors to rejoin the Path Blazers group.
The purpose guard’s homecoming creates an attention-grabbing dynamic with Jrue Vacation, who was initially traded to Portland within the 2023 deal that despatched Lillard to the Bucks.
Portland then reacquired Vacation this summer season after his championship run with the Boston Celtics. And with their commerce historical past, some may need anticipated stress between the 2 guards.
Nevertheless, Lillard revealed that their relationship remained constructive, with private connections extending past basketball.
Lillard rented Vacation’s Milwaukee house throughout his two-year Bucks stint, creating common communication between them. Their conversations coated sensible issues slightly than basketball tensions.
“As a result of after I lived in Milwaukee, I rented his home for 2 years. So I’ve really been renting his home for the final two years. So we talked so much. Like, I used to be complaining to him in regards to the Wi-Fi,” Lillard defined.
The dwelling association led to mundane discussions that observers misinterpreted as basketball-related stress.
Their on-court interactions throughout Boston-Milwaukee video games sparked hypothesis about their relationship standing.
“Like, it’s a clip on-line of, like, I shake his hand. We performed him in Boston, and we had an interplay, and folks have been like, what? After which we have been actually speaking about his Wi-Fi at his home,” Lillard clarified.
Vacation reached out to debate sensible elements of returning to Portland, together with housing suggestions and organizational insights.
“So, he reached out nearly, like, areas, like, to dwell in and stuff like that. And, a little bit bit in regards to the group,” Lillard stated.
To Vacation, Lillard emphasised his connection to Portland after 13 years with the franchise. It looks like this connection additionally influenced his choice to return, regardless of doubtlessly higher championship alternatives elsewhere.
“I like dwelling in Portland. My household is in Portland, and it’s a spot the place individuals come right here to play, I used to be like, I’m from California, and I’ve been dwelling right here for the final 13 years,” he defined.
Lillard’s present harm standing could delay the backcourt partnership’s debut. His restoration timeline will decide when Portland can absolutely make the most of each veteran guards collectively.
The Path Blazers hope their veteran management can speed up the event of youthful gamers, whereas offering playoff expertise.
And Vacation’s championship pedigree with Boston provides credibility to their rebuilding efforts.
Their relationship basis suggests potential chemistry benefits when each gamers return to full well being.
The private connection established throughout Lillard’s Milwaukee tenure might translate to on-court success.
