It's been a tough offseason for Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard. After All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge bolted for the San Antonio Spurs in free agency, spurring reports of a rift between the two, Lillard now finds himself heading a team that has gone from championship contender to rebuild mode real quick.
So you'll have to forgive Lillard for being a bit surly of late, though his latest comments about attending the upcoming Team USA minicamp in Las Vegas this August to begin to whittle down the roster for the Rio Olympics in 2016 probably won't sit well.
Appearing on the Jody Mac Show on CBS Radio on Saturday afternoon, Lillard, who was cut from Team USA last year ahead of the FIBA World Cup in favor of Kyrie Irving, had this to say about attending minicamp this year.
Jody Mac: Are you headed to Vegas next month?
Lillard: Probably not.
Jody Mac: Why Not?
Lillard: I did it the last few summers and last summer I didn’t make it. I don’t know why I would go. After I got cut last summer, I don’t think I’m a part of it.
Well then. That doesn't sound bitter at all. Though I guess that's a better than some cliche response we're so accustomed to hearing. Just not sure it's a good look for a guy looking to become the leader for the next generation of Trail Blazer basketball.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com
[Via Pro Basketball Talk]
