Having led Portland further than anyone had anticipated last season, expectations are higher than ever for Damian Lillard, and the two-time All-Star is aiming for the NBA’s highest individual award in 2016-17.
Lillard says he’s gunning for the MVP.
.@Dame_Lillard on personal goals for this season: "MVP. I wanna be the MVP." (1/2)
— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) October 23, 2016
Lillard: "If we come out & do the things we're capable of doing as a team & we win games…" (more)
— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) October 23, 2016
Final #Lillard: "…I think that means that my performance would be at a level of the MVP." @trailblazers #RipCity
— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) October 23, 2016
The 26-year-old is coming off career highs in points (25.1) and assists (6.8), while pushing the Trail Blazers to 44 wins and the fifth seed in the Western Conference.