'Goon Squad' Damian Lillard Debuts In Trailer For 'Space Jam: A New Legacy'

Damian Lillard, basketball cyborg, makes his first appearance on the big screen.

Jack Winter

'Goon Squad' Damian Lillard Debuts In Trailer For 'Space Jam: A New Legacy'
'Goon Squad' Damian Lillard Debuts In Trailer For 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' /

Damian Lillard's penchant for crunch-time dominance can make him seem like a basketball cyborg. Just ask the creative team behind this summer's long-awaited sequel to Space Jam.

In the latest trailer for Space Jam: A New Legacy, LeBron James and his Looney Tunes teammates are briefly introduced to their "Goon Squad" opponents. Among them? A metal-plated, fast-dribbling, purple-charge-emitting version of Lillard.

"Goon Squad" Lillard first appears around the 1:53 mark of the trailer, between a winged Anthony Davis and serpent-like Diana Taurasi. He also gets highlighted at the end of the preview, causing Looney Tunes' Granny to "go old school on his butt."

James certainly seems impressed with his Space Jam foe, too.

Lillard indirectly confirmed the striking likeness was him shortly after the trailer was released, retweeting an article from Complex that included a photo comparison between real life and "Goon Squad" Dame.

News of Lillard's casting first made the round in June 2019. About a month later, he candidly told Trail Blazers reporter Casey Holdahl that "15-hour days" on the Space Jam set took a toll on him. Even so, Lillard is pleased to be a part of the iconic franchise's latest chapter.

"I'm not going to say it was fun, eventually it was fun, and now I'm happy I did it knowing that I was a part of something like that," said Lillard. "I think it's going to be great."

Space Jam: A New Legacy will be released July 16 in theaters and on streaming service HBO Max.

READ MORE: The Drumbeat For Damian Lillard's MVP Candidacy Is Getting Louder

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Jack Winter
JACK WINTER

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