Damian Lillard’s loyalty to the Portland Path Blazers has precipitated folks to query his larger intention of being traded to the Miami Warmth. However from Gary Payton’s perspective, it is simply an applicable need to lastly step as much as the All-Star guard.
Payton sees Lillard’s state of affairs as a replication of his case when he was a former Seattle SuperSonics cornerstone who did not win a title with the then-active franchise for 12½ seasons.
“It is the identical as me,” Payton stated, in accordance with Ira Winderman of the South Florida Solar-Sentinel. “Dame’s father grew up with me in Oakland. All of us have the identical mentality. And I’ve the identical agent as Dame. Girl would match completely right here. He is aware of it and I do know it.
After 10 years of dedication to Portland, Lillard lastly filed his request to be traded to Miami as his solely desired touchdown spot.
It stays to be seen whether or not the Blazers and Warmth will strike a deal sooner slightly than later, because the South Seashore membership have reportedly grown pissed off with the sluggish progress of their negotiations.
However for Payton, it is virtually time for Lillard to lastly get his want for a a lot greener pasture.
“Dame desires to play for Pat. I believe it is a good transfer for him,” Payton stated. “Why not go forward and let him achieve success? And I believe it’ll change the entire dynamic if he comes right here to Miami. He’ll have extra assist with Butler. He’ll have one other famous person to go together with him and he’ll have a hard-working basketball group.
Payton additionally dismissed the thought towards the ring-chasing tradition that at the moment embodies Lillard’s hope of uniting with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in Miami.
Earlier than successful his solely championship, Payton teamed up with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003-04. Their “superteam” collaboration didn’t lead to final success which continues to attract criticism to this present day from many.
The Corridor of Famer has no regrets lastly reaching that elusive ring with the Warmth in 2006 after failing to win final day trip in 1996 towards Michael Jordan’s legendary Chicago Bulls 72-10 in addition to the 2004 “Goin’ To Work” Pistons who enforced their traditionally suffocating defensive stance.
“Everybody must be chasing after a championship,” Payton stated. “Why will we play basketball? That is what basketball is all about. If you wish to go someplace else when you’ve got an opportunity of successful a championship, go there. And that is what I noticed once I got here to Miami. So I got here right here, look what occurred.
