News Blazers Team Notes

[Portland Trail Blazers]

Analyst Reveals Why Damian Lillard Chose The Perfect Team

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard‘s trade to the Milwaukee Bucks came as a shock to fans around the NBA.

Many expected him to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers throughout his career, as it seemed like he loved the organization and had no plans of leaving.

However, the Trail Blazers believed it was in their best interest to trade him, getting three players in return, as well as a first-round draft pick.

Lillard made a great impact on the Bucks when he was healthy, but he had problems staying on the court.

With that in mind, the Bucks decided to part with Lillard, which made him a free agent.

He decided to return to the Trail Blazers, which could end up being the best outcome for all involved.

Analyst Amin Elhassan recently talked about Lillard’s return, highlighting how much it means to the Trail Blazers’ organization.

“This is perhaps the only situation in the league that can say, ‘We need Damian Lillard, right now, this year,'” Elhassan said, via SiriusXM NBA Radio.

“This is perhaps the only situation in the league that can say ‘We need Damian Lillard, right now, this year.’”@DarthAmin tells @TheJaxShow why Lillard returning to Portland is the perfect fit. pic.twitter.com/7Koie8zUYm

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 20, 2025

Elhassan not only mentioned Lillard’s impact when he’s on the court but added how valuable he is in the locker room as a veteran leader.

The Trail Blazers’ outlook heading into the 2025-26 NBA season wasn’t all that positive before re-signing Lillard, but they seem to have new life and excitement, even though he will be recovering from an Achilles injury.

Yet, he can still be a mentor to the young players in the organization, including Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen.

The post Analyst Reveals Why Damian Lillard Chose The Perfect Team appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-reveals-why-damian-lillard-chose-the-perfect-team/

 

[Portland Trail Blazers]

2 Blazers Players Could Make Huge Step This Year

(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers are going to look different next season in multiple ways.

They are bringing back a franchise icon, Damian Lillard, but that isn’t the end to their changes.

Speaking to the press, head coach Chauncey Billups said that he expects more from two of the team’s most prominent players: Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

2025-26 could be the year when they both take a huge leap forward, Billups said.

“I want to see Scoot and Shaedon take a step this year. I coach these guys very hard, but it’s always different when you’re getting that mentorship from a guy who’s wearing that jersey,” Billups said, via Sean Highkin.

Chauncey Billups: "I want to see Scoot and Shaedon take a step this year. I coach these guys very hard, but it's always different when you're getting that mentorship from a guy who's wearing that jersey."

— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 22, 2025

Last season, his second in the league, Henderson averaged 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 41.9 percent from the field.

Meanwhile, Sharpe was good for 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on a field goal percentage of 45.2.

Those are good numbers from both of them, but Billups wants more, and he believes Lillard will play a part in their development.

At this point in his career, Lillard will be the team’s prominent floor general and also a player-coach.

He will impart a ton of wisdom into the young squad and use his years of experience to help them all push forward and reach their next level.

Depending on his health, Lillard may not be able to play as much as he wants in 2025-26.

That is even more reason why Henderson and Sharpe will have to dig deep and step up.

The team will need them, even though Lillard has returned.

Billups has belief in these two, and he knows they could evolve in some groundbreaking ways now that they have one of the best point guards in the world beside them.

The post 2 Blazers Players Could Make Huge Step This Year appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/2-blazers-players-could-make-huge-step-this-year/

 

[Portland Trail Blazers]

Chauncey Billups Reveals Damian Lillard’s Role Next Season

(Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard is coming back to the Portland Trail Blazers, but he will be more than simply their biggest star.

In a press conference, head coach Chauncey Billups made it clear that Lillard will be doing double duty, both as a player and as a team leader.

“He’ll be back as good as ever, if you know anything about him. This year, he’ll be the highest-paid assistant coach in history. I’ll be putting him to work every day,” Billups said, via Underdog NBA.

Coach Billups on Damian Lillard, via @highkin:

"He'll be back as good as ever, if you know anything about him. This year, he'll be the highest-paid assistant coach in history. I'll be putting him to work every day."

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) July 22, 2025

Lillard is now 35 years old and, sadly, suffering from more injuries lately.

This happens to many players as they get older and there are questions about how much longer Lillard will be able to participate at 100 percent.

In fact, he is currently recovering from a serious Achilles tendon issue right now, and it’s not certain how lengthy the rehabilitation process will be.

Lillard still has a ton to offer the Blazers, even if he isn’t able to play as intensely as he used to.

He is one of the smartest and most accomplished point guards in the NBA and has the sort of knowledge and expertise that can greatly help the younger players on his team.

Of course, the Blazers want Lillard to do as much as he can because he can still score incredibly well too.

Last season, he produced an average of 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists for the Milwaukee Bucks, proving that when he’s healthy he’s still a huge asset.

When the Blazers were able to pull off this signing, they knew that they were getting a franchise hero back, and not just because he’s a deft scorer, but because he’s a proven and accomplished leader too.

The post Chauncey Billups Reveals Damian Lillard’s Role Next Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/chauncey-billups-reveals-damian-lillards-role-next-season/

 

[Portland Trail Blazers]

Nikola Jokic Responds To Blazers Rookie’s Interesting Request

(Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen has been getting a lot of attention since the NBA draft and during his time in the Summer League.

He could be just what the Blazers need and might have a bright future in the NBA.

He recently said how he will be starstruck playing against Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Hansen stated that he will want to take a picture with Jokic and stand in awe of his skills

Now, Jokic has responded, via the NBA on X.

“He’s good. I’m happy that when he gets in his prime, I’m probably going to be out of the league. He’s talented. Yes, we can have a picture or whatever he wants, and only if he plays bad against me. If I destroy him and I score a lot of points, then yes,” Jokic said.

There’s just one catch… Nikola Jokić reacts to seeing @Hans15Y’s request! pic.twitter.com/qP2MkOiNI3

— NBA (@NBA) July 23, 2025

That’s a fun, encouraging response to Hansen’s comments, and it’ll make fans very interested to see them interact for the first time in a few months.

Some people are calling the Chinese rookie the next Jokic because of his size and abilities.

As you can imagine, expectations for the young star are very high.

Hansen has done well so far, but there is a big difference between playing in the Summer League and the regular season.

Even though he has impressed, there is no guarantee that his rookie season will be strong.

If he comes up short, people will retract the “next Jokic” nickname, and his future could be in doubt.

Hansen is excited to get started and ready to play against his hero.

Will their first face-off go well for the rookie Blazer?

The post Nikola Jokic Responds To Blazers Rookie’s Interesting Request appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/nikola-jokic-responds-to-blazers-rookies-interesting-request/

 

[Portland Trail Blazers]

Damian Lillard Shares Hilarious Story About Jrue Holiday’s House

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard both spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks, but now they have moved on.

They have a lot in common.

In fact, they actually shared the same house, although not at the same time.

Speaking to the press, Lillard revealed a funny story about Holiday’s old house, which he used for a period.

“When I lived in Milwaukee, I rented his house for two years so we talked a lot. Like, I was complaining to him about the wifi. There’s a clip online of like I shake his hand, we played them in Boston, we had an interaction and people were like what? And we were literally talking about his wifi at his house,” Lillard said, via Breanna Greene.

Damian Lillard on his relationship with Jrue Holiday

"When I lived in Milwaukee, I rented his house for two years so we talked a lot. Like, I was complaining to him about the wifi. There's a clip online of like I shake his hand, we played them in Boston, we had an… pic.twitter.com/42mpBv5tzr

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) July 23, 2025

Complaining about Wi-Fi is a modern problem that many people can relate to.

It’s funny to see that even super successful basketball stars suffer from the same issues that common folks do.

Thankfully, Lillard surely got his internet problems figured out.

Lillard and Holiday may have a lot of time to talk more, about all sort of things.

They are currently both members of the Portland Trail Blazers, although it may not be that way for long.

Most reporting suggests that Holiday could be leaving the team soon, possibly heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, or another squad.

But if he does remain in Portland, he could really help Lillard push the team back into playoff contention.

The Blazers have been through a long rough patch, but are things turning around?

Lillard and Holiday clearly have a nice camaraderie, will they get to show it off on the court?

The post Damian Lillard Shares Hilarious Story About Jrue Holiday’s House appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/damian-lillard-shares-hilarious-story-about-jrue-holidays-house/

 

[Portland Trail Blazers]

Damian Lillard Reveals What He Missed About Being A Veteran

(Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

Now that he’s coming back to the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard can be honest about his time with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lillard clearly wasn’t entirely happy with the Bucks, but he’s elated to be back home.

In a press conference with the Blazers, Lillard opened up about how he missed playing for a younger team with players he can guide with his years of experience.

“One thing that I’ve missed over the past two years playing on an older team is I’m able to be more and give more when I have something to pour into. When I’m able to be invested in others’ careers more,” Lillard said, via Breena Greene.

One of the more interesting bites from Damian Lillard's press conference tonight:

"One thing that I've missed over the past two years playing on an older team is I'm able to be more and give more when I have something to pour into. When I'm able to be invested in others careers… pic.twitter.com/C4ZEz9CaxE

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) July 22, 2025

When Lillard moved to the Bucks, the Blazers became populated with younger stars who were looking to prove themselves.

And while they have shown a lot of promise, the team has floundered in the years since Lillard’s departure.

Meanwhile, he was playing for an established team filled with older players.

And although he filled the role of a floor general, he didn’t have much wisdom to impart.

Now he is coming back to Portland and a team that needs as much wisdom as he is willing to give.

In fact, head coach Chauncey Billups suggested that Lillard will take on an assistant coach role with the team, doing more than simply putting up shots on the court.

He will also teach the up-and-coming stars.

Lillard is getting older and injuries are a legitimate concern, but his return to Portland is sure to be filled with great moments for both him and the young squad he will join.

The post Damian Lillard Reveals What He Missed About Being A Veteran appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/damian-lillard-reveals-what-he-missed-about-being-a-veteran/

 

[Portland Trail Blazers]

Hansen Yang Reveals How He Got Into Basketball

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers may have grabbed one of the biggest steals of the NBA draft with Hansen Yang.

The 7-foot-1 big man did great things during his four games, and fans are thinking he could be the sort of big man they need.

His road to the NBA was not orthodox, and Yang shared how he got to this point with Yahoo Sports.

According to him, it was all because his dad told him to get in shape and lose weight.

“I was a litle bit of a fat boy…My father told me to try some sports, figure out what you want to do and lose some weight. My father told me: ‘Don’t become fat,'” Yang said, via Hoop Central.

“I was a litle bit of a fat boy…My father told me to try some sports, figure out what you want to do and lose some weight. My father told me: 'Don't become fat.’”

— Hansen Yang on how he got into basketball.

(via @BenGolliver, h/t @YahooSports) pic.twitter.com/PxLnk1IM3f

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 21, 2025

In his four Summer League games, Yang averaged 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

Those are good numbers for a center, but it was his 45.7 percent from the field that really got people talking.

Fans are now picturing Yang not just dominating with blocks in the paint but also putting up a ton of points.

A versatile big man is music to the ears of all NBA fans, especially this Portland team.

When he was picked in the draft, some analysts and fans questioned Yang and what he could do.

But he’s already made history as only the third Chinese player to be drafted in the first round, behind Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.

Will he eventually become the first Chinese player to win a title?

Some stars grow up wanting to be basketball players, and others fall into the sport through coincidence and pure luck.

It sounds like Yang started playing because his dad forced him to, but that obviously worked out well for him, and now the Blazers.

The post Hansen Yang Reveals How He Got Into Basketball appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/hansen-yang-reveals-how-he-got-into-basketball/