Damian Lillard reveals his personal connection to Eric Garner’s death

Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard was the latest NBA player to voice his support for Eric Garner, the New York City man killed by a police officer who put him in a choke hold during an arrest. Lillard joined Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and others in wearing an “I can’t breathe” shirt during pregame warmups on Wednesday night.

But for Lillard, the case especially hits home.

In a Facebook post, the Trail Blazers’ star compared the Garner case to that of Oscar Grant, a man shot and killed by transit police in the Bay Area. Grant was friends and Lillard’s older brother and the two crossed paths from time to time. Lillard discussed Grant’s killing with Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears last year, saying he wanted to use his fame to help spark change in his hometown of Oakland.

“Right now it is out of control,” Lillard said. “While I don’t think [the problem] can be completely taken away -- it’s always going to be a problem -- I do think it can be better. With being in the NBA, I have so much influence with a lot of the kids, I think I can at least start to change the culture.”

Lillard showing his support for Garner is in the same vein.