Bucks Zone

Damian Lillard shares his feelings on the massive ovations he got early in the game

"I just felt appreciated."

Jonas Panerio

© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
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Divorces involving NBA superstars and their original teams are never easy or amicable. However, Portland Trail Blazers fans showed nothing but love for their former star point guard Damian Lillard. Last Wednesday, Lillard received multiple standing ovations from the crowd, showing just how much they appreciate and value him as a player.

In the post-game presser, Dame shared his feelings about the overwhelming support he received from the fans. He said it made him feel appreciated and grateful to have played 11 years in Portland.

Felt the love

Even though Lillard was already donning the green and white jersey of the Milwaukee Bucks in his first game back at the Moda Center since he got traded in the offseason, it was a lovefest for the 33-year-old guard. The fans cheered louder than ever before; some even held up signs expressing their admiration and gratitude towards Damian, while the franchise produced a tribute video they showed during the game’s first timeout.

“I just felt appreciated,” Lillard said of the warm reception from the crowd and his former team.

“I think that’s what it comes down to: you feel the appreciation and the love. I just kind of stood in it, like, man, this is a big deal. Just to take that moment and to have everybody in the building show me that type of love … it’s an acknowledgment of a lot of things during my time here, so I appreciated it.”

An opportunity for the fans to give back

Lillard is playing in his 12th season in the NBA, so he’s gotten used to all the applause. However, Dame admitted that the ovations he received on Wednesday felt different. Part of the reason why the former Weber State star is beloved in Rip City is that he was dedicated to giving his all on the floor and made an effort to connect with the community off the court.

Whether appearing in various high schools or giving away sneakers to the underprivileged, Lillard has always made sure to use his platform for good. And the fans in Portland appreciate that.

“This was different … I could feel it,” Dame shared.

“I already knew how they felt, but I think this was an opportunity for them to show it in this type of environment. Like, to do something like that (a 63-second ovation), that’s something you choose to do … and there was no limit on it, they continued to show it. And I saw it before the game, on social media and around town. I felt it in a lot of ways.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO