Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard made a splash with 32 points in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. Of the 32 points, Lillard saved his best for last. While the match between Team LeBron and Team Durant was in the direction of the goal, Lillard put the match on ice with a three-point inning from the halfway line.
If you missed it, here’s another look at Lillard’s heroism:
After the game, Paul LeBron’s reserve Paul George reconsidered his previous criticism of Lillard’s long-range ability. In the post-season 2019, Lillard steers the Thunder team of which George was a part, with an unforgettable 37-foot three-pointer. George, who had the task of guarding Lillard on the play, described the attempt during his post-match interview as a ‘bad shot’.
It seems that Lillard’s latest achievements have changed George’s view. After Sunday’s result, George admitted he could have been wrong about his initial criticism of Lillard’s series.
I asked Paul George about the series in the NBA today.
PG: “Well, I think I was criticized for the right reason because I called Dame’s shot a bad shot in the playoffs. I mean I see the man’s series is crazy.”
Me: “Isn’t that a bad chance then?”
PG: “It’s a great shot. 2 inches up.” pic.twitter.com/fFZhlNREvc
– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 8, 2021
George scored 26 minutes in Sunday’s showcase event. During his time on the floor, he scored 17 points – just ahead of Lillard and Jaylen Brown behind the reserves on Team LeBron.