Latest news with #ChaunceyBillups
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DeMar DeRozan Slams Young NBA Players Who Are Too Sensitive To Public Opinion And Use Their Phones During Games
DeMar DeRozan Slams Young NBA Players Who Are Too Sensitive To Public Opinion And Use Their Phones During Games originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The new generation of NBA players has grown up with social media as a constant companion. They tend to even use their phones during games at half-time to check what is being said about them on social media. This did not sit well with DeMar DeRozan, the Kings' veteran forward, who expressed his frustrations with the modern era of players in an interview with Carmelo Anthony on his '7 PM in Brooklyn' podcast. Anthony brought up Chauncey Billups' recollection of how an NBA player posted his highlights when the Trail Blazers were down 18 points at halftime, and DeRozan responded. 'Mo****f***ers getting on their phone, so worried about what's on their phone, what somebody says. To even this point, I've seen a mo****f***er put his name in the Twitter search to see what they were saying somebody… and I'm like this to the point we at? You know what I mean? Like that was never a thought. Yeah. You know what I mean?' 'But to that point, it's that like mo****f***ers always ask me like, "Man, you can play another four or five years?" But it's that part of the game that sucks the energy out of you.' 'Everybody is so worried about everything else now instead of what it was built on, like your game, competing, winning, going out there, you know, giving everything you got. It's like everybody's so caught up in all the sh** that doesn't matter anymore. You know what I mean? What I'm wearing, Mo****f***ers in the mirror fixing this, doing that, exfoliating and all this sh**.' The modern era of basketball can be divided into two subcategories: the modern playing style and the modern media. While players appreciate the evolution of the game in terms of floor spacing and more isolation-based plays, they are not the most appreciative of the media. Be it social media or the type of questions they face in press conferences. The six-time All-Star DeRozan is going into the 17th season of his career and has seen a varying set of cultures in different teams. He has played on four different teams and averaged 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his career. If he is seeing a decline in the culture of the NBA as a whole, then there is definitely something to worry about. With the new generation of players like Jared McCain, Jalen Green, or Jalen Williams who indulge in these social media platforms or accessorize with nail polish, and whatnot, the future of the NBA looks a bit too Gen Z for the old school fans. But is he right, though? Will this culture of social media in the NBA make weaker stomached players for the future? And will that severely hamper the attractiveness of a team to serious players? Many interesting questions arise while thinking about the direction in which the NBA is headed. It is my personal opinion that such extravagance is not new to the NBA. From Dennis Rodman's days in the NBA, the new generation highly values a liberal expression of their true selves. So self-indulgences like makeup and social media are not harming the culture in the NBA. However, getting way too caught up in public criticism could become a spiral that costs players their potential. Like what happened with Ben Simmons in the 76ers. So to avoid that, there should be some gametime discipline to avoid being driven by public opinion, but also find the balance in their expression of who they story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Damian Lillard says he's happy to be 'back home' with Trail Blazers, gives update on Achilles recovery
Damian Lillard couldn't be happier to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard offered up enthusiastic remarks about coming back to the team, saying he was glad "to be back home." Lillard made those comments during an introductory presser Monday. Lillard was reintroduced as a member of the Trail Blazers after signing a three-year, $42 million deal with the team after he was surprisingly waived by the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. Lillard, who was drafted by the Trail Blazers with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, seemed elated to be returning to the franchise, per the Associated Press. "Just knowing that I'm going to be back home for all parts of my life, with my kids, playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets that I've driven on pretty much my entire adulthood, my whole family being here, my mom, my brother, my sisters, all my friends around the city of Portland," he said. "All of those things count. I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon." While Lillard, 35, is back with the team, his second debut with the franchise will have to wait. Lillard tore his Achilles in the playoffs, and is unlikely to play the entire 2025-26 NBA season. Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups joked that Lillard will be "the highest-paid assistant coach in league history" next season. Lillard didn't provide an exact timeline for his return, but said he would take his time to make sure he's fully healed when he gets back on the court. When healthy, Lillard produced like one of the top scorers in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists over 58 games. His season was initially cut short after doctors discovered a blood clot in his right calf. Despite plenty of uncertainty, Lillard recovered in time to play in the postseason. His return lasted just three games before he tore his left Achilles. Due to Lillard's age and injury, there's plenty of uncertainty about his return to Portland. While his NBA future remains cloudy, that won't stop the fans from giving Lillard a deafening cheer the first time to takes the court in his return.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Injured Damian Lillard is grateful to be 'back home' with the Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — It hit Damian Lillard as he drove home with his kids after signing a contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was coming home. Lillard's three children, Damian Jr., 7, and twins Kalii and Kali, 4, accompanied him to sign his three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers over the weekend. The contract includes a no-trade clause and he can opt out after two seasons. 'Just knowing that I'm going to be back home for all parts of my life, with my kids, playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets that I've driven on pretty much my entire adulthood, my whole family being here, my mom, my brother, my sisters, all my friends around the city of Portland,' he said. 'All of those things count. I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon.' Lillard made his fist public comments about the deal at a news conference on Monday night with Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and general manager Joe Cronin. Lillard played for Portland for his first 11 NBA seasons before he was traded, at his request, to the Milwaukee Bucks before the start of the 2023-24 season. A nine-time All-Star, the 35-year-old Lillard is beloved in Portland, known for pointing to his wrist to signify 'Dame Time' after making big shots. But he's not going to be be back on the court at the Moda Center any time soon. Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon during a first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and required surgery that will likely sideline him for the 2025-26 season. The Bucks waived him earlier this month and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years. 'I told him that this year he's going to be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history because I'll be putting in the work every day,' Billups said. Lillard didn't rule out the possibility of coming back this season, but Cronin said the team would wait 'as long as it takes.' 'My prideful self would be thinking differently, but I think with age, you get wiser,' Lillard said. 'Like Joe said, it's going to be ultimately what's best, I think, to take the as much time as possible to make sure that I'm right, that's what I'll do.' Lillard ranked 10th in the league in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) this past season while earning his ninth All-Star selection. But he was limited to 58 games by deep vein thrombosis. He averaged a career-high 32.2 points his final season in Portland. That season, he became just the seventh player in NBA history to score more than 70 points in a game when he finished with 71 against the Houston Rockets. Portland won only four playoff series during Lillard's tenure, getting to the Western Conference finals once. Lillard always insisted there are no hard feelings over his separation with the Blazers. He wanted to try and chase a championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, while Portland was focused on developing young players like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Lillard, who has a signature shoe deal with Adidas, hinted during an event at the company's North American headquarters in 2024 that he might be willing to return to the Trail Blazers. He never imagined that an injury would speed up the timeline. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 draft by Portland, Lillard holds franchise records for points (19,376) and 3-pointers (2,387). He had five games of 60 or more points with Portland. For his career, Lillard has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists. He was the 2013 Rookie of the Year and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team in 2021. He won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Lillard said his kids finally understood the significance of his homecoming during that drive home over the weekend. 'I got to a red light, and I just turned around and my daughter was looking at me and I told her,' Lillard said. 'And she was like, 'Wait, so, like, we don't have to get on an airplane to Milwaukee no more?'' ___ AP NBA:
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Damian Lillard returns to Portland, eyes fresh start back ‘home' after Bucks exit
PORTLAND, Ore. — Damian Lillard's role for the upcoming season is clear, according to Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. 'He's gonna be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history,' Billups joked, 'because I'm gonna be putting him to work every day.' Monday marked the return of Portland's favorite son, as Lillard met with the media to discuss an earlier-than-anticipated homecoming. Last week, the nine-time All-Star signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Blazers two years after requesting a trade following 11 seasons as the face of the franchise. Advertisement Lillard, the sixth pick of the 2012 draft who had long promised to stay loyal to Portland and not leave to chase a championship in a bigger market, sat alongside Billups and general manager Joe Cronin and talked about his decision to return to the Rose City. 'It never felt right, not being home,' Lillard said, as a screen with the words 'THESE ROOTS RUN DEEP' shone to his right. 'When I have to make a decision, a lot of thought goes into it. This decision wasn't hard at all.' For all the fanfare with Lillard returning, there is also the stark reality that he will likely miss next season while rehabbing a torn Achilles. It was that injury that prompted the Milwaukee Bucks to waive Lillard, a stunning move that NBA insiders later clarified actually gave him leverage, allowing him to sign wherever he wanted. It turned out that place was back home, close to his three children — Dame Jr., 7, and 4-year-old twins Kali and Kalii. Lillard spoke candidly the last few years about the challenges of being 2,000 miles away from his children. And yet, he stressed Monday that this was as much a basketball decision as a family one. He has watched Portland the last two years, often wondering 'how do I fit in?' He is convinced that Portland is poised to compete for a title with a young core.
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Injured Damian Lillard is grateful to be 'back home' with the Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — It hit Damian Lillard as he drove home with his kids after signing a contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was coming home. Lillard's three children, Damian Jr., 7, and twins Kalii and Kali, 4, accompanied him to sign his three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers over the weekend. The contract includes a no-trade clause and he can opt out after two seasons. 'Just knowing that I'm going to be back home for all parts of my life, with my kids, playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets that I've driven on pretty much my entire adulthood, my whole family being here, my mom, my brother, my sisters, all my friends around the city of Portland,' he said. 'All of those things count. I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon.' Lillard made his fist public comments about the deal at a news conference on Monday night with Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and general manager Joe Cronin. Lillard played for Portland for his first 11 NBA seasons before he was traded, at his request, to the Milwaukee Bucks before the start of the 2023-24 season. A nine-time All-Star, the 35-year-old Lillard is beloved in Portland, known for pointing to his wrist to signify 'Dame Time' after making big shots. But he's not going to be be back on the court at the Moda Center any time soon. Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon during a first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and required surgery that will likely sideline him for the 2025-26 season. The Bucks waived him earlier this month and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years. 'I told him that this year he's going to be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history because I'll be putting in the work every day,' Billups said. Lillard didn't rule out the possibility of coming back this season, but Cronin said the team would wait 'as long as it takes.' 'My prideful self would be thinking differently, but I think with age, you get wiser,' Lillard said. 'Like Joe said, it's going to be ultimately what's best, I think, to take the as much time as possible to make sure that I'm right, that's what I'll do.' Lillard ranked 10th in the league in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) this past season while earning his ninth All-Star selection. But he was limited to 58 games by deep vein thrombosis. He averaged a career-high 32.2 points his final season in Portland. That season, he became just the seventh player in NBA history to score more than 70 points in a game when he finished with 71 against the Houston Rockets. Portland won only four playoff series during Lillard's tenure, getting to the Western Conference finals once. Lillard always insisted there are no hard feelings over his separation with the Blazers. He wanted to try and chase a championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, while Portland was focused on developing young players like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Lillard, who has a signature shoe deal with Adidas, hinted during an event at the company's North American headquarters in 2024 that he might be willing to return to the Trail Blazers. He never imagined that an injury would speed up the timeline. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 draft by Portland, Lillard holds franchise records for points (19,376) and 3-pointers (2,387). He had five games of 60 or more points with Portland. For his career, Lillard has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists. He was the 2013 Rookie of the Year and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team in 2021. He won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Lillard said his kids finally understood the significance of his homecoming during that drive home over the weekend. 'I got to a red light, and I just turned around and my daughter was looking at me and I told her,' Lillard said. 'And she was like, 'Wait, so, like, we don't have to get on an airplane to Milwaukee no more?'' ___ AP NBA:
