The debate about who is the best point guard in the NBA can go on for hours, but not if you ask Damian Lillard.
The Portland Trail Blazers star was recently asked the “This Is It” podcast if Warriors superstar Steph Curry is better than him. His answer was straightforward.
“I don’t think anybody’s better than me,” Lillard replied firmly. “When I get on the court, that’s probably my biggest strength, is I believe in what I believe. And that’s it.”
Host Cam’ron wants to make things completely clear.
“You think you’re the best point guard in the NBA right now?” he asked.
“Yes,” Lillard answered.
Lillard’s response likely wasn’t a direct shot at Curry, and more about the level of confidence he has in himself. There’s also Curry’s confidence, as he proclaimed last month on Gilbert Arena’s podcast that he’s the best point guard ever.
Curry is not a traditional point guard, but he has certainly proven his elite talent in his 14 seasons in the NBA, either by making plays for his teammates or by hitting those highlight-reel bucket as the league’s all-time 3-point shooter (3,390 and counting. ). However, Lillard believes that if Curry had to play a true point guard role, the conversation would be very different.
“If Steph plays an offense like I do, where it’s necessary for him to have more of the ball, we’re going to see him do a lot of things at point guard,” Lillard said.
While the two guards differ in their style of play, Lillard and Curry are very similar shooting-wise. Both can fly it from beyond the arc and are two of the best deep-range 3-point shooters in the league. In fact, Lillard ranks sixth all-time in 3-point shots, with 2,387, and is close to Curry’s 3-pointers made and attempted career averages (3.8 and 9.0) with 3.1 and 8.3, respectively.
So, while it’s fun to debate who’s better, it’s even more fun to watch Dame and Steph shine on any NBA court.
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