Damian Lillard’s best 5 seasons

Table of Contents

Good Lord! There are players that grace our screens, and then there’s Damian Lillard. In a world drowning in hot takes, Dame has consistently been the perfect blend of spice and sizzle. Now, we've been lucky to watch several elite versions of Lillard throughout his career, but which five are the most memorable? Let’s jump in the time machine (no Flux Capacitors here, though) and dissect these masterpieces.

5. 2016-2017: "The Awakening"

Imagine being the guy who's perpetually counted out, only for you to bring the house down every single time. This was the season that felt like an Al Pacino monologue – loud, emphatic, and impossible to ignore. Dame averaged 27 points and nearly 6 assists per game. For the math nerds out there, his PER was 24.1, better than the league average. The Blazers didn’t end up far in the playoffs, but this wasn’t about the destination. It was about the awakening journey. This was the season that reminded me of Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire" - just coming into his own, understanding his worth and yelling “Show me the MONEY!”

4. 2020-2021: "Bubble Dame & Beyond"

This season could be aptly titled “The Dame Odyssey,” and I'm not just talking about that Bubble brilliance. While the NBA Bubble feels like it happened in Narnia, its magic was undeniable. I mean, come on! That game against Dallas? That 61-point masterpiece? Dame was the Gandalf of the NBA Bubble - a legendary figure navigating through chaos. This season saw Lillard averaging 28.8 points and 7.5 assists a game. His usage rate was off the charts, standing at 31.1%. Essentially, Portland leaned on him more than a teenager leans on sarcasm. There’s a sense that, if Dame had whispered “You shall not pass” to any defender, they would’ve obediently stepped aside.

3. 2018-2019: "Logo Lillard Strikes"

Okay, I want you to think about the most iconic shots in NBA history. Jordan over Ehlo, Magic’s baby sky hook, and then... Dame’s wave goodbye to OKC. This season felt like Spielberg directed it – full of twists, memorable scenes, and an iconic ending. Dame was clocking 25.8 points per game, and his assists? A delightful 6.9. What made this season stand out wasn’t just the stats, it was the narrative. Paul George declared Dame’s series-ending shot a “bad shot." Oh, Paul, in the immortal words of Bill Walton, “That’s one of the worst things I’ve ever seen done on a basketball floor.” To me, this was Dame doing his best Jason Bourne impression: precise, cold, and always hitting the target.

2. 2019-2020: "The All-NBA First Teamer"

It's not every year that a guard makes the All-NBA First Team, but when they do, it's like watching Beethoven compose a symphony. Dame, this season, was poetry in motion. Pouring in 30 points a game (career high alert!) and 8 assists (another career high!), he was making defenders look more confused than someone trying to explain the plot of "Inception." His VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) was a staggering 3.9. To put that in context, that’s like comparing a Michelin star meal to my aunt’s questionable casserole. If 2018-2019 was the season of the iconic shot, 2019-2020 was the season of sheer, relentless consistency.

1. 2021-2022: "MVP-Caliber Dame"

Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the magnum opus. Picture this: Dame, playing like a man possessed, drawing comparisons to the likes of Iverson in his prime. Scoring at will, assisting with an artist’s precision, and making the game look easier than assembling IKEA furniture with the manual. Dame put up a monstrous 31.2 points per game, and his assists, sitting pretty at 8.7, were Picasso-like masterstrokes. His PER was a jaw-dropping 26.3. And while the MVP trophy may have evaded him, this season cemented his legacy. He wasn't just a star; he was a supernova. It was akin to watching Da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa, except Dame’s canvas was the hardwood.

So, there you have it. Five seasons of Damian Lillard, each unique, each spectacular. He's the gift that keeps on giving, like finding a forgotten $20 bill in your old jeans. As we watch and rewatch his highlights, it's essential to remember: We aren't just witnessing greatness; we're witnessing history.