Damian Lillard is back in Portland and the hoop community is loving it. When he got waived by the Bucks, many expected the thirteen-year veteran to join a title contender, especially because money was no longer a concern, thanks to the stretch-and-waive clause. But instead of taking his talents to Boston or Minnesota, Lillard prioritized reuniting with the Blazers and staying close to family. When he took centre stage for today’s introductory presser in Portland, it just felt right. Even to his longtime on-court rival Draymond Green.

Lillard addressing the media, with a bunch of Blazers logos in the backdrop and on the mic felt like he was back where he belongs. And Draymond, despite his controversial history with the sharpshooter, expressed his joy by sharing a snippet from Dame’s presser on his IG story, writing, “The backdrop just looks right!”

Well, Green and Lillard have had their fare share of differences in the past. When a video of the Warriors star punching his then teammate Jordan Poole in practice was leaked online, Dame was one of many to openly criticize the four-time champ, “It’s unfortunate. When you spend as much time with your teammates as we do, you know, you want it to be positive, you want it to be respectful… I think Draymond, who I know pretty well, probably walked away from that situation saying, ‘I probably shouldn’t have did that to my teammate and to my team.’”

A year prior, Lillard tweeted “Draymond is a mf” after the former DPOY made a controversial foul on LeBron James during a game. Going further back in their careers, Green once initiated a beef with Dame after misconstruing one of his quotes while trying to recruit Carmelo Anthony to the Blazers, “We can compete with anybody in the West, but I think when you get to those teams like Golden State, if we happen to run into them in a playoff situation now—we getting in the paint, and if they want to help off someone like Melo… good luck.” Despite everything that happened in the past, Draymond’s five-word message about Lillard’s Portland reunion hints that both stars have moved on. And with their beef in the rearview mirror, Dame is looking forward to this new chapter.

Damian Lillard not prepared to lose mental battle after Achilles injury as he makes emotional confession

Just like Draymond, majority of the NBA world agrees that Lillard returning to Portland makes perfect sense. Even the sharpshooter confessed that this was an easy choice for him, “All the things I’ve been connected to even during the time I wasn’t playing here the last two years, it all just feels right. Usually when I have to make a decision, I put a lot of thought into it. I ask questions to the people around me, but this was a decision that wasn’t hard at all.”

Moreover, he was thankful to GM Joe Cronin, Chauncey Billups, and the entire Blazers organization for keeping the door open for him despite his Achilles injury. Now, its Lillard’s turn to live up to the expectations and return in All-Star form. That’s why he has been in continuous contact with superstars like Kevin Durant, Aaron Rodgers, and Rudy Gay, who came back from a similar injury stronger than ever.

Even when Lillard went down with a torn Achilles, not once did he feel pity for himself. His first thought was “I’m about to come back from an Achilles.” While everyone around him shed a tear, he remained strong, knowing that he never loses a mental battle. “It wasn’t like a prideful thing. My mind automatically went to like I gotta fight for something.” He remarked. Sure, Dame returning to Portland feels right, as Green remarked. But it will feel even better when he finally suits back up again and helps the Blazers return to playoff contention. Do you think he can do it?