For an impressive 11 seasons, Damian Lillard lit up the court as the heart and soul of the Portland Trail Blazers. His superstar performances created an unparalleled buzz in the home arena. However, when the franchise failed to reciprocate his unwavering loyalty, Lillard initiated discussions for a blockbuster trade. After months of speculation, he eventually found a new home with the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, on Wednesday night, amongst the 10 aligned NBA games, Lillard will make his return to face the Blazers for the first time since his departure.

As the storyline unfolds organically, the Bucks’ new head coach, Doc Rivers, pressed his thoughts on the imminent moment. Drawing on his extensive 20+ year career with first-hand experience of players’ homecomings, Doc immediately recalled instances involving legends like Kevin Garnett and Patrick Ewing. However, he noted the distinction, “This one is different. KG was in his last year. Ewing was in his last year. Dame has a lot of basketball left in him.” Moreover, while encouraging Damian Lillard to savor every moment of his comeback, Rivers also acknowledged the potential challenge of maintaining focus in such an emotionally charged scenario.

“I try to stay out of their way and let them have their day.  You want him to enjoy that moment, but I can’t imagine how hard this must be for him to focus,” Rivers reportedly said, as quoted by award-winning sportswriter and author Kerry Eggers.

Having carried the weight of the Portland team for over a decade, Damian Lillard is currently enjoying his lowest minute averages in his career with Milwaukee. Despite that, he continues to deliver numbers that echo his career averages.

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Adidas pays tribute to Damian Lillard in his return

Since being drafted by the Blazers in 2012, Damian Lillard has maintained a longstanding partnership with Adidas. Over the years, he has solidified his status as one of the premier athletes associated with the brand in the modern NBA. So, in anticipation of Damian Lillard’s return to the city, Adidas went the extra mile by dedicating a company location to the superstar guard.

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The gymnasium court at Adidas’ Portland headquarters now proudly bears Lillard’s name. The huge move is not only a testament to Lillard but also marks a significant chapter in the brand’s history. It is the first instance in the brand’s 75 years where a company location has been named after an athlete. Fans warmly welcomed Lillard as he paid a visit to the brand’s headquarters in Portland, underscoring the significance of this unique honor he still holds within the city.