Simson Garcia | Sports Editor
The NBA’s 2017-2018 season will be one to remember. James Harden and LeBron James have played up to MVP standards and, while both are heavily favored for the award, Damian Lillard’s breakout year should also be worth consideration. He’s had an MVP type year, no doubt, and here are a few unique reasons why.
Let’s break away from the obvious as Lillard’s helped the Portland Trail Blazers surpass expectations by sporting records better than San Antonio and Oklahoma City, teams with multiple stars. He’s upped his game in shooting, passing and even defense apparatuses this year. Without him, Portland certainly wouldn’t be where they are now. But MVP caliber seasons have something that sticks out from the rest.
Last year, 42 triple doubles, the most ever in a season, helped award Russell Westbrook the MVP. Lillard certainly has a few things up his sleeve this year, too, that puts him in MVPn conversations among NBA pundits. Known in his career for clutch performances during crunch time, the numbers tell it this year and should help place him in consideration for the award.
Down to the wire is where it counts — it’s what fans remember. Everybody remembers MJ and Kobe’s clutch moments. This season showed that Lillard is better than both Harden and James by a mile when the game’s in the balance. In one of the most clutch situations — the free-throw line — Lillard has followed through making 33-36. This was when the game was under five minutes left while neither team was ahead by more than five points, according to NBA Miner.
If stretched a few feet further out to three-point, he’s still better than Harden and James when one considers this interesting stat: Lillard improves his three-point percentage in clutch situations by .385. James drops by .045. Harden declines by .067. In fact, both drop off drastically in free-throw percentages as well.
When one remembers remarkable MVP-like seasons with wire-to-wire finishes — and Lillard’s had many — they’ll remember his time. That’s now.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
Photo by: oregonlive.com
