National Basketball Association

Damian Lillard Backing Up MVP Talk in First Three Games

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Damian Lillard justifying MVP talk after excellent first week

Damian Lillard made waves with his MVP goal this season. Steve Kerr and Jalen Rose followed suit and picked Lillard to win the award, blowing the story up with NBA talking heads. One week into the season, he is backing it up.

With how solid the Warriors, Cavaliers and Spurs are, combined with the freedom players like Russell Westbrook and James Harden get with their respective teams, Lillard-for-MVP talk seems far-fetched at best. Even if the Warriors’ star players block each other from the award, Westbrook, Harden or Kahwi Leonard are probably the favorites for the award. (This is assuming LeBron will coast during the regular season)

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After Saturday night’s performance, Lillard has to be on everyone’s shortlist for the award. Not only did he hit the game winner in overtime, Lillard hit the layup to send it to OT. Through the first three games, Lillard is averaging 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. More importantly, Lillard is shooting 55%. His improvement on close-range shots this season is remarkable. Unfortunately for Lillard, he is not the only player throwing up gaudy statistics.

Westbrook is averaging well over a triple-double through three games. Beyond statistics, the Thunder have not lost as a team. However, their schedule could not have been easier thus far (76ers, Suns, & Lakers). Harden is also going to average somewhere near a triple-double this season now that he is a point guard. Anthony Davis might average a points and rebounds total that is reminiscent of Wilt Chamberlain.

The legitimacy of Lillard as an MVP candidate is dependent of the Trail Blazers‘ success. If Portland earns a top four seed in the Western Conference, he will receive a fair share of votes. Voters look beyond gaudy statistics and tend to favor only players on elite teams.

Damian Lillard is poised to set new a new career high in points-per-game with his newfound efficiency. However, he is not going to win with purely statistics. Westbrook, Harden and Davis have that title cornered this season. Lillard will earn MVP votes with his game-winners and the Trail Blazers reaching 50+ wins this season.