Damian Lillard continues to chase that elusive first NBA title after his first year with the Milwaukee Bucks didn't go as planned.
During the summer of 2023, Lillard got his wish to be traded to a championship contender after failing to win a championship with the Portland Trail Blazers . But with the Bucks failing to get past the first round of the 2024 playoffs, Lillard's quest continues.
But Dame claims he might already have at least one ring if LaMarcus Aldridge had stayed in Portland.
"Man, LA…he made it way more easier," said Lillard on Jeff Teague's Club 520 podcast. "I mean teams was really paying attention to him. Being in the pick and roll with him, he popping, he making every jumper. I'm throwing it to him on the block, they going to get him. I'm standing there by myself, like coming off pick and rolls, his man trying to get back to him."
Aldridge left when both of them were peaking
In their second season together, 2013-14, Lillard and Aldridge helped Portland win 54 games and make the playoffs for the first time in three years. During the 2014-15 campaign, the Blazers made the postseason again, with LA making the All-NBA second team and Dame earning a second straight All-Star game appearance.
But just as when both Blazers' stars were peaking, Aldridge chose to leave Portland in free agency and continue his career with the San Antonio Spurs. Lillard and C.J. McCollum carried the Blazers after their big man left, but things were never the same.
"One thing I think about in my career is like if he never went to San Antonio, " added Dame. "We would have won at least once because I would have come into my own but he was that good."
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LA regretted not having a better relationship with Dame
During a 2021 interview with Shams Charania for The Athletic, Aldridge revealed that he and Dame weren't on the same page during their three-year partnership in Portland because he was already an established star and Dame was still an up-and-comer trying to reach superstar status. LA went on to admit that his only regret was not having a better relationship with Dame .
"I just feel like I wish Dame and I would've talked more and tried to develop a better relationship," said Aldridge. "Part of it was he was young, trying to find his way, and I had worked so hard to get to this spot I was at. I wish I would have worked harder … the only regret I have is I wish I would have worked harder to have a relationship with Dame."
If Aldridge and Lillard had built a stronger bond, LA might have stayed in Portland. With his presence and Dame’s continued growth, the Blazers could have become a dominant force in the following years, potentially capturing an NBA championship together.
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