Damian Lillard and the worth of a Championship
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- čas přidán 18. 06. 2024
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Damian Lillard has already established himself as one of the game's greatest players. Two playoff series-winning buzzer beaters, six All-Star selections, and too many clutch shots to count. But what's his place in the big picture of basketball, and how might we remember him?
Thanks to Nic (the real GOAT) for the thumbnail and graphics: nicstelter.com
Videos like this are made possible thanks to support on Patreon
/ claytoncrowley
Twitter - @ClaytonCrowley
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Music used (in order)
The 5th Season by Nono
Crosswalk Bounce by Isaac DaBom
Brutality by Prod. Riddiman - / brutality-hard-piano-t...
Lemonade by Shtriker Big Band
Adrenaline by Prod. Riddiman - / adrenaline-hard-grunge...
Go Get the Money (instrumental) by ATELLER
RAGE! by Prod. Riddiman & Joe Leytrick - / rage-hard-alt-rocktrap...
21 Days (instrumental) by MIERNØ - Sport
Thanks to Aura for sponsoring this video! To start your free two week trial, go to aura.com/claytoncrowley
What's the name of the beat in the background?
May I ask about Pistol Pete for your consideration for a video?
Great video. Championships are a team accomplishment, not an individual one. The point of what Drexler, Garnett, and Payton did was to give them a chance to experience being part of a champion. If Dame decides he doesn't wish to go that route, then it shouldn't reflect badly on him at all. Garnett was the same way. McHale put together the trade to give Garnett a championship shot, but Garnett didn't want to do it and McHale had to convince him to accept the trade.
All that said, if Portland can't right the ship, it would be great to see him get a title shot somewhere else, with the Blazers blessing.
You gotta do Embiid
Charles Barkley next or hakeem. winning with no all.star or hall of famer
the irony of this dropping 20 minutes after KD requests a trade is incredible
imagine kd heading to the blazers like dame posted, would be absolutely insane
@@prodbypiro I think there'd be an investigation for tampering lol
Not really irony, just extremly poetic. irony would be Dame winning a chip with Portland against whatever team ends up trading for KD, for example.
y’all learn your definition of irony from alanis morissette or something?
irony would be if right after this video drops, the blazers immediately trade dame to a rebuilding team with no title aspirations on the other side of the country away from everything he knows and loves.
@@visno didn't realise we had an English professor here sorry sir
“What do we want?”
We want to hate, Clayton. We thrive off negativity
We want to complain, we want to be able to say that the other choice is the right choice. And we would have made the other choice.
Shade
That’s why skip and Shannon argue about the goat debate daily
What I want is to see people rewarded for their hard work and Portland hasn’t been rewarding Lillard unfortunately
Also I’m not even sure we can decide on whether or not we want negativity cause we breed it but then when we recognize it we go “oh no this is so toxic and negative” I swear us fans be goofy as fuck a lot of the time ❤️
In an era where everyone is completely absorbed by analytics and stats I absolutely love this romantic view on basketball. Keep it up Clayton, you're fucking awesome
I love stats (they are the most efficient way to find who was the better player on paper) but I agree that just using stats is Leaving out tons and tons of context no matter what the situation or debate is. Robert horry has a much bigger impact than stats imply.
Romanticism of basketball is fine but no bro Portland is wasting Lillard’s prime and they’ve never done him any favours I honestly think he should’ve left
Here after Dame's trade to the Bucks. 15:08 aged well!
Most Blazers fans seem to love him and wish him well, and so do I! He did loyalty the old school way, like Charles Barkley & Oscar Robertson: stay loyal to your franchise, then go ring chase with a good team that's not Boston or LA.
dame doesn’t need to win a chip to validate his career. when his jersey inevitably goes up into the rafters of the moda center, his legacy will be solidified as one of the greatest of all time. having your number retired means so much more than a ring, and especially if he’s never played for another team
Wouldn't it be more impressive if he played with multiple teams? like if I play with a team 15 seasons, even if I'm "just" a starter they might retire it just due to loyalty/# of games played
@@PuchuKt I don't know about that, do we expect the Heat to put Udonis Haslem's jersey in the rafters or for them to even retire his number? Maybe?
@@navonmyhand7999 hm, that's a good question, I'd lean towards no, since the heat have a pretty good history, but Nick Collison got his number retired, so anything's possible
one of the greatest of all time??? what makes you say that
@@jessepowell5750 a little late to this debate, aren't you? he got selected to the top 75 players, the video tells you that
That 55 against Denver is one of the greatest playoff performances I've ever seen
According to Basketball Reference, it is.
I was texting every basketball fan in the 4th quarter begging them to turn on that game. Never seen anything like it.
Quite statistically, the greatest playoff game ever seen. Just disgusting the amount of help he has to have that game ended in a loss...
Greatest showing of how 1 player CAN NOT win by themselves. He did EVERYTHING a star can to solo carry just like 07 LeBron and its just not enough.
Amazing. As a Portlander, it's been a long time since I gave a shit about the Blazers---but this is actually really special. Thank you. You definitely reached me with this one.
Edit from 2023 Jul 2: I'm sad the party is over after Dame's trade request. Blazers organization have been fools. I hope Dame goes to a team and ownership that he deserves, and finds what he wants there. I'm sad, but I've pre-grieved, and I've lost no respect for him.
That’s Portland’s issue, most portlanders don’t give a shit about the blazers they should move the team
@@Yourgurtisgood ...clearly you ain't been. Blazers are THE thing in town. Most people love them even people who wouldn't typically be basketball fans. Blazers are deeply appreciated here. In fact, our biggest issue is how easily impressed we are by them doing anything. We need more pressure on the FO. A fan base that really doesn't appreciate their team would be the Lakers.
@@elijahm1636 seriously though. I’m a lakers fan and seeing everyone being so toxic is crazy. It’s like the lakers fan base doesn’t want the lakers to do good.
@@bonn0077 Lakers fans just have extraordinarily high expectations in general.
The thing about dames killer last second instinct is he’s not overthinking how he’s gonna put it in. The look in his eye just says “You and I both know I’m gonna make this shot so you might as well give up”
Dame only has that instinct in the first round
@@20marvelman just cause it’s true doesn’t mean you have to say it 😂
Another Cranger! (Crowley Banger!)
That sounds like a blunder specifically made by Crang of TMNT fame lol
Holy shit Flula Borg!! Dude you're awesome, it's so dope that someone as famous as you recognises and appreciates small channel quality content
I root for Dame more than anyone in the league. He’s the closest IMO to appointment viewing whenever he’s playing since Kobe. I hope he finds his way to a finals.
He won’t
Damian Lillard 2026 Finals MVP
And there it goes. Lillard has officially asked for his trade. Whether or not it will be done, the argument about him wanting to stay in order to win or die trying, no matter what, unfortunately collapses. :/
That narrative was never actually real. Dame never said he was permanently loyal to Portland. He never said he wasn't open or realistic to the idea of ending up on another team at some point. He simply recognized the Blazers were treating him well and were giving him no reason to leave, and because of this he chose to stay, even if it meant less of a chance for a ring. Once Portland chose to keep the #3 pick instead of trading it for win-now talent, they gave Dame a reason to leave for the first time in his tenure. And he took it. His legacy was never "win or die trying", it was staying loyal to the team that was loyal to him. And he did that all the way through.
the quote about “when this is all said and done, i know i’ve made the right decision for myself” is why he’s one of my favorite athletes. no matter if he wins a championship or not, you can see how hard he works, how bad he wants it. not just for himself, not for his franchise, but for the city that’s believed in him from the get go, and for the people that believed in him every step of the way.
he is secure in his work and his decisions, and he’s knows the RIGHT people are gonna appreciate him when it’s all said and done.
great work as always CC. you come in just as clutch as Dame does.
Dame will no doubt watch this video. He gets on YT sometimes and leaves comments. Can’t wait for him to come back!!! Great video!
BABE WAKE UP CLAYTON POSTED!!!
I love that question about what do we want. It takes me back to the video on Duncan. I’m biased as a Spurs fan, but a huge part of the argument for him as GOAT was that he started a whole culture. Rings absolutely helped, but he’s somebody you build a franchise around before a contender. Lillard is very similar in that way and it’s just unfortunate that he hasn’t had the organization around him to win it all, but like you said, that doesn’t take away from how much of a badass he is.
Spurs fan from Poland here. As much as I love the Spurs, I admire Lillard as well. I hope that at the end he will have his own ring with Portland just as Dirk had his with Dallas. I hope that he will stay at Portland till end of his career. He is a guy who I value most at modern players. I am sure that he will be a HoF.
Greetings. Pozdrawiam serdecznie
A lot of people are very mad at him that he would want to stay in Portland and not leave. But if that's where he wants to stay, then let him. This is why I don't like to associate with lot of basketball media and basketball fans these days. There's a reason why he is very beloved among Blazers fans and a legend without a ring is still a legend.
I don't think there's a guy as universally beloved by his city in the modern NBA then DL in Portland. He's rode with us so we ride with him and we love him for it it's as simple as that to me. Like the talent and culture aspect are huge but loyalty is near impossible to fine nowadays and we appreciate it.
As a blazers fan words can’t describe how grateful I am to have him as my teams franchise player, literally everything a fan could ask for. It’s kind of heartbreaking because he deserves so much more than the situation he’s been in at Portland yet he continues to be loyal to us.
Cuz yall pay him 50 mil a year 😂😂😂
The excitement of seeing a Clayton upload is like finding a $100 bill on the street
You definitely need to do one of these about Dirk. He has one of the greatest stories in League history. Getting to the finals, losing. Getting the best record in the league and the MVP the next year then losing in the first round. Eventually getting back to the finals in one of the greatest runs ever to eventually get a rematch against the same team that had previously beat him and had just become one of the most hated superteams ever. He's one of the most universally loved and respected players ever.
dame is special. one-of-a-kind, and massively under-appreciated by even by dedicated nba fans.
Fucking fantastic video. Damn near had me in tears at the end 😭 Some say Dame is still chasing Clyde as the greatest blazer ever, but if you ask anyone from Oregon who loves basketball, they know Damian Lillard is without a doubt the greatest Portland Trail Blazer to ever put on for Rip city. Ring or no ring.
I love Dame. Its been hard seeing his seasons end similarly for the same reason over and over. I hope he can break through!
the loyalty thing is pretty funny, especially because now he's on the bucks lol. He's still insanely loyal though
Me before the video: Dame? A Legend?
Me after the video: DAME TIME BABY!!
I don’t know what we in Portland did to deserve videos about two of our 3 all time greatest legends but I appreciate it. Getting to see one on someone like Dirk or Reggie would be cool too.
Alternatively I think a greatest playoff series or finals series would be great, especially for some that don’t get talked about as much.
Dames 55 is the greatest individual playoff performance ever. The difficulty of every shot he made, the clutchness it was breathtaking
It was, indeed, a spiritual experience, as someone put it.
Its just a shame that its not talked about enough just because he lost.
Who’s here after Dame got PAID
Nicely done! Looking forward to any additions to this series
That was so inspiring. Clayton, thank you very much. Loving all your videos. Peaceout
You’re my favorite channel man I genuinely love your content so much. Keep it up you’re due for big things 😁
Love the video. No clue other than a couple of guesses as to where you’d take this series, but in light of the KD situation, it would be interesting if you did a look of him as kind of the foul to what Lillard’s legacy will be.
Thats a great way to look at it
Dame is my favorite player in the league, and probably of all time. Just so much swagger and charisma. Who cares if he wins a ring. He’s not “the best” or “the greatest” but he is the coolest.
Why is he your favourite player of all time?
@@ColdHoops bc he’s cool
Great vid as always!
Thank you for making this video dame is my favorite player and his loyalty capsulates his personality and greatness and as a trailblazer fan I only leave if he does cause he will get one it will be “dame time”
“Value loyalty above all else.” - Raymond Reddington
thank you for making a video about my favorite player Clayton. Like usual you did an incredible job and shed some positivity in a sports community that nowadays is dominated by negativity
excellent video bro. it’s always a pleasure to watch your videos and see the work you put into them keep it up 🙌
Lifetime Blazer fan, needless to say, they have been breaking my heart for a lifetime. However, this video gave me goosebumps multiple times. Great video, it reminds me why I love the game.
Dude this video is so sick. Love how you turned the whole ring counting thing on its head.
great video, great points. love Dame Dolla!
I've concluded that dames loyalty to portland is ultimately a two way street, he gets the money and market of being the only superstar in the region while avoiding criticism he would get on a team like the heat or lakers, and the blazers get a marketable star who likes them and consistent playoff participation, sometimes even success (something they havent had in basically 30 years) I think with the past two years tho dames fully secured his bag and now is looking to win a ring, so unless portland really builds around him I can't imagine he stays past 2023
Crazy good video I loved this
well well well
As a major blazer fan and Lillard fan also, I can say that this video is simply amazing. Thank you for creating a masterpiece, you’ve got my sub ❤️
I saw your Tim Duncan video when it came out. Your content is still incredible. Keep up the good work!
So glad when I see a video from you. Keep up the great content
I made a video about this same topic a while back when everybody and their mother was telling Dame to leave Portland.
Great video, I'm glad loyalty hasn't died in the NBA just yet
Great video man
The quality of your videos is excellent, keep it up brodie
I enjoy your content it’s really intellectual and keeps me interested, another subscriber 👍
Dame is a legend because follows his own dream rather than others'. He is very thoughtful about what gives him meaning, and doesn't follow the ring culture out of insecurity or a need for others' validation. He does things for others out of a genuine desire to help, and his understanding of his own power to bring change in the world.
Y'know, I was skeptical about Dame being put in the Top 75 list. But this helped convince me otherwise
Same...
Think keeping the original 50 was a bad choice. Dame obviously deserved to be on there, but wild that a guy like Tracy McGrady isn’t at the same time
Great video Bro! excellent text!
You and Dame have something in common, too. You're underrated. Your channel is amazing and I'm disappointed you only have 82k subs. Top 3 basketball channel on CZcams.
My favorite player. You captured why perfectly.
It's a crime that you have less than 100k subs. Keep grinding, love the videos!
very thought provoking video for even matters beyond basketball. well-communicated.
Another stupendous talent wasted by the Blazers organization.
Got nothing but love for the Big L.
But with their track record, run!
Clayton with another banger of a video. He doesn’t miss.
You should make amazing the case of greatest defenders love the content
i just want to shout out the music choices in this (and most other videos). they are excellent.
Ironic KD requests a trade as soon as you upload this😂
Honestly these videos are brilliant
16:50 It was at that moment...
Big respect for making this video, on someone who is surprisingly misunderstood often. Thank you!
I’ve waited so long for a new video
Clayton: Releases a new video
Me: I MUST C L I C K
Seriously though, been loving this new content. I started being interested in basketball in the middle of your first making the case series, and videos like this really help me start to fill in the blanks of my basketball knowledge, as well as being unbelievably entertaining.
Now that sounds like a badass creator.
Awesome video. You are that guy
Here again after Dame's 70 piece!!!! monster.
I always thought Dame is severely underappreciated. He's a fantastic ball player
Dame is by far my fav player for all the reasons in this video, would love to see him get an all star team mate but he's entertaining to watch regardless. If he's in the game, they always have a chance.
I'd say CJ McCollum was a multi-time all-star snub tbh.
@@trav34 You show me what year CJ was a top 4 guard in the West. Not everyone gets in
@@steelwall4396 He could have made it over Kyle Lowry or Ben Simmons in 2020 and 2019. Could have made it over D'Angelo Russell in 2019 as well. Regardless of whether or not he made it to an all-star game though, CJ Mccollum is consistently a 20 ppg player who also plays solidly in the playoffs, he's pretty much an all-star caliber player in my eyes. Is he the best all-star? No, but he's certainly good enough to at least raise an eyebrow at why he has absolutely no selections.
Edit: The all-stars mentioned are all after the West/East system was done away with.
@@trav34 Voting is still done by conference. They just don't play for their conference anymore
@@trav34 The West has had 3-4 better guards than CJ his whole career. As long as that's true, he's never been snubbed. Not everyone gets to be an all-star
Posting to boost the algorithm, great work Clayton!
Dame doesn’t need a ring. He’s been wearing it on his chest for his entire career.
Your videos are like a rainbow, it doesnt happen often, and it may be relatively quick, but once it does come around, it makes my day, keep doing what your doing maguy
Love Clayton doing two trailblazers in a row for his legends series!
So blessed to be a Blazer fan with this amazing human leading us. Love you so much dame!
Your videos never disappoint
Back after he dropped 71. Badass indeed
Great video, Duncan
Congrats on the sponsor, Clayton!
I'm a huge Lillard fan and I love this
Got a negative playoff record
Idk if it’s a coincidence or planned, but love seeing the Trail Blazers live in back to back videos. Talk about Brandon Roy next pls 🥹🙏
Subscribed. Bravo sir
I was skeptical about doing Dame this soon but after watching no more, that was a hell of a video.
I’m glad you came out with this video after all the disrespect this man has gotten recently
That Aura ad had me thinking we were about to learn about how Dame helped people with identity theft😂
As a blazers fan we have more love for lillard that I believe most fan bases have for there stars
Longtime Blazers fan (since 1970!), and I'm here to say, you *get it* about Dame. Well done, sir, with this and your other NBA videos.
If Dame wins a ring the whole world will go crazy
He doesn’t upload lots of videos, but when he does they’re always a banger
this makes me love dame even more
A grand account of Dame's loyalty on the back end of the KD trade news wild.
That was a phenomenal bideo bro
I never understood why people thought Damian Lillards loyalty was a bad thing. I’ve struggled to find the right way to put it for a while but I believe this is best. Damian Lillard plays for the Portland Trail Blazers while most stars simply play for the NBA. Too often people view the league as a macro and ignore the interpersonal and quasi small town feel that rooting for a small market team can bring. Damian lillard is Portland basketball and if he wants to stand by them because of that, who the hell are we to judge him? Because you keep making him answer the same questions?
Beal wants to stay and win in D.C. but he's only made the playoffs once since Wall got traded 🤦
@@ColdHoops okay? I never knew people could be mad that people would be mad about loyalty
“140 to 147”?! That was nails on a chalkboard, Clayton. 😖😵😂
Awesome video, as always.😎✌🏼❤️👊🏼
Awesome stuff! Go, Blazers! 🙂
Hey Clayton, big fan of your vids. I'd love to see you do a "Making the Case" series for coaches once you've finished the "Legends" set. Could start with Pop and go from there.
Sacramento Kings fan here... even I respect Dame's game. He dropped 50 points easily against the Kings by the third quarter... He could have gotten more, but they rested him for the game because they are playing for playoff at the end of the season and my Kings are gonna lose already. I respect this dude game so much that I almost wanted to get a Lillard jersey.
Loved the song during the Ad read; very groovy, Austin Powers vibe.
5:46 "iver-soiain" might be my new favorite adjective