Damian Lillard revealed what he learned from Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgers after tearing his Achilles.
Lillard suffered an Achilles tear while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in the postseason last season. He is ruled out for a return next year, but will suit up for the Portland Trail Blazers after Lillard signed there this summer.
Achilles tears used to practically be a career ender for players, with Dominique Wilkins being the only example of a player returning to an All-Star level after having the injury. But modern medicine has allowed better recovery from torn Achilles, and Kevin Durant is a shining example.
Durant is still performing at an All-NBA level despite tearing his Achilles in 2018. Lillard reached out to Durant for advice on his recovery.
Damian Lillard learned from Kevin Durant that he faces a mental battle on his road to recovery
In his re-introductory press conference with the Trail Blazers, who Lillard signed with days ago, he gave an open and honest reflection of his recovery so far. That included how he felt when he initially suffered the injury.
He said, “The first thought that I had was, ‘I’m about to come back from an Achilles’. That was literally my first thought. We got to the back, and when the doctor said, ‘you tore your Achilles’, everybody else had more pity for me than I did.
“I had PTs about to cry and all that stuff, but I didn’t cry. Even when I was by myself I didn’t cry. It wasn’t a prideful thing, it’s just my mind automatically went to, ‘I gotta fight for something.’
“I know it’s going to be a long journey, I know it’s a challenge mentally, but I kind of shifted right there to what I knew was coming.”
Lillard reached out to a number of athletes who had torn their Achilles, including Durant and Rodgers. He said the sentiment he got from them was that this would be a mental challenge, and one he is certain that he will win.
“Talking to Aaron Rodgers, KD and Rudy Gay. All these guys that have experienced it differently. I never had that moment of pity with any of my injuries honestly.
“This one I know is the biggest one of my career. But like I said, it’s a mental battle, and I don’t lose those. If it’s physical it’s possible, but mental battles I don’t lose.”
Portland Trail Blazers in need of Damian Lillard’s leadership
While he won’t take to the court for the upcoming season, the Trail Blazers still need Lillard in the locker room to lead this young group. Portland traded for Jrue Holiday for some leadership this summer, but with reports Holiday may be traded to the LA Lakers, Lillard could be crucial to their development.
Scoot Henderson was a high draft pick that hasn’t achieved his full potential, and would benefit from mentorship from an elite player in his position. Meanwhile exciting rookie prospect Hansen Yang needs guiding through his first NBA season, while not speaking English well.
Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups joked about Lillard’s role with the team this season, saying, “This year he’s gonna be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history. Imma be putting him to work everyday.”
Lillard is being paid by the Milwaukee Bucks after they waived him at the start of the summer, meaning he will be paid $154.2 million over the next three years. It’s a well-earned paycheque for the Portland legend, but he’ll have to work hard this season in both his recovery and his mentorship.