Just yesterday the Portland Trail Blazers announced that their season was turning point and apart. After several months battling physical problems, Damian Lillard would undergo surgery for his abdominal injury. This operation has gone perfectly and the medical staff will reevaluate to the player within five to six weeks. However, it was not Lillard’s health condition that caused him to undergo surgery, but rather the more than disappointing season of Chauncey Billups’ men.
In the media hype surrounding Damian Lillard last summer, the Blazers star was critical of the franchise’s management. “We are not going to change anything simply with a new coach” cracked the base from the concentration with the American team. Lillard demanded more movement to get out of the impasse in which Portland was immersed. With the first half of the season in the history books, the Blazers have come out of the doldrums … through the back door. The 16-24 that they sign at the moment is, by far, the worst of the Lillard stage.
Portland is still in the fight for the play-in, but has not wanted to wait another minute to assume that the season, and probably the current project, is not enough. Most of the media close to the organization’s environment talk more about tanking than to face adversity. For this reason, although the medical part leaves open the hope of seeing Lillard again this season, the context tells us otherwise. Chris Haynes predicts in Yahoo Sports that the minimum absence ranges between six and eight weeks. But these reassessments can always be prolonged behind the excuse of caution.
Rather than knowing Dame’s availability in a month and a half, the focus in Portland will be on seeing what remains of the team after the transfer market closes on February 10. It looks like the Blazers are going to be one of the big entertainers next month. Even if it’s not on the field.
(Cover photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)