Damian Lillard on His Legacy, Championship Aspirations, and New Ventures

Damian Lillard, the star point guard of the Milwaukee Bucks, is entering his 13th season in the NBA with a clear mindset on his legacy and future aspirations. Despite being one of the most talented players in the league, Lillard’s career is marked by the absence of an NBA championship. However, he does not believe that winning a title is necessary to solidify his legacy. In an interview with The Athletic, Lillard stated, “You would think if I won it, there would be nothing that they could say, but I think people know how f–king good I am.”

Lillard, who was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks last offseason, has been paired with two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in what appeared to be a championship-caliber combination. However, the Bucks’ title hopes were derailed by injuries and they were eliminated from the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Lillard remains motivated to chase an elusive championship ring, but he emphasized that his drive is more personal than a need to prove himself to critics. “And if we win it, all I would do is just put the people who go back and forth in a position where it’s like, what the f— can you say? I think that’s it, but for me, I don’t think I have to prove it to nobody,” he said.

Beyond his on-court ambitions, Lillard has also been involved in various off-court ventures. Recently, he launched a new signature eyewear line with Oakley, featuring the Damian Lillard Signature Series Latch Panel. This eyewear is crafted from lightweight yet durable BiO-Matter and includes a full-rim, gray-ink frame.

Lillard’s ‘connected’ offseason has also been highlighted, with a focus on preparing his mind and body for the upcoming season. This dedication reflects his commitment to performing at the highest level as he enters his second year with the Bucks.