Portland’s Damian Lillard has reportedly accepted the league’s invitation to participate in the dunk contest, but it turns out that that might just the tip of the iceberg. The second-year guard will also defend his Skills Challenge title, is participating in the Rising Stars Challenge and the All-Star Game, and he’s seriously considering entering the Three-Point Shootout, according to Chris Haynes of Comcast Sportsnet.
Damian Lillard in Slam Dunk Contest, could also do Three-Point Shootout
The Portland point guard could become the first player in NBA history to participate in all five All-Star events.
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If Lillard finds his way into the Three-Point Shootout, it will mark the first time in league history any player has competed in all five events of the weekend, a feat that would certainly put the Trail Blazers’ All-Star point guard under the national spotlight. Lillard has drained 140 threes this season at a 40.5-percent clip, so he’s got the resume to fit right in with the rest of the field.
But there might be a bit of an issue at hand here. This from Haynes’ piece:
There has been chatter over concerns Lillard will tire himself out in New Orleans. Last week Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said he doesn’t foresee his busy schedule being a problem once he returns to the team post All-Star break.
“He’s young and if he wants to do it, I’m fine with that,” Stotts said last week. “It will be a good experience for him. We want him to have fun. But when he gets back, it’ll be business as usual.”
It’s always fun to watch history being made. Plus, Lillard is good enough to go out and win the thing. The field will be announced Thursday night, so stay tuned.
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