While You Were Probably Sleeping, Damian Lillard Went Out And Made Some NBA History

Soobum Im. Getty Images.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. I am a sucker for watching NBA history be made. I don't really care who it is or what the history might be, if you show me something that I've never seen before, I'm in.

Enter Damian Lillard.

I imagine outside of Blazers and Jazz fans, not too many people were probably staying up past their bedtime to watch POR/UTA play, and that's a shame because we were witness to one of then greatest individual scoring performances in NBA history. I know that might sound a little hyperbolic…….but it's the truth. See for yourself

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I think it's safe to say we experienced the highest form of Dame Time possible, and as it turns out that version is pretty damn good. Just 1 point shy of tying his career high 61 (which he's done twice), this was Dame's 4thgame of at least 60 and the 14th time he's at least had 50 in an NBA game. Already considered one of if not the Greatest Blazer Of All TIme, this franchise has never seen a scorer like this in their history

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It almost makes you forget Clyde Drexler even existed. 

Dame finished 21-29 from the floor, 9-15 from deep, and 9-10 from the FT line in his 40 minutes, and to me that's what makes his historic efficiency so impressive. It's not like he's a big who camps out in the paint and takes a ton of FTA. He's taking tough ass shots and he's doing it from distance. Dame is one of those guys where when you see him maybe hit his first few you know to buckle up because there's a chance you're about to see something crazy. There aren't a ton of guys like that in the league, these microwave scorers where all they need to do is see it go in once and then explode. At the point guard spot, it's like Dame and Steph. 

I'm sure it was a relief this performance came in a win, because if you lose this game nobody probably cares as much. In typical Dame fashion, he could not have been more humble in his postgame when he learned that he made NBA history

and for a Blazers team that hasn't had too many positive moments since their 8-2 start, it feels like everyone from Dame to the franchise to the fans needed something like this to happen. This Blazers team is trying to claw their way out of the Lottery and if that means just giving the ball to Dame and getting the hell out of his way then so be it. If that gives us a chance at witnessing more 60 bombs, I'm all for it.

When you watch those highlights and see how the city embraces Dame, no shit he never wants to leave. He's a God in Portland. if they win, cool. If they never win a title, cool. That's a guy who is comfortable with who he is as a person and a basketball player. There's something to be said about just enjoying where you are and being a king as opposed to ring hopping and potentially never winning there either. He's already a member of the Top 75 team, he's already the best player this franchise has ever had, and when it's all said and done I think Dame can build a HOF career even without the ring. Look at what he's doing at 32!

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Something tells me a few more of these types of performances are in our future, and I can't wait.