Heartbroken About CJ McCollum’s Departure, Damian Lillard Reveals Taking Up Leadership Role to Mold Anfernee Simons

Damian Lillard‘s blockbuster trade to the Milwaukee Bucks was one of the most discussed topics in preseason. He joined the Wisconsin-based side on a contract of four years at the beginning of this season. The turbulence of NBA trades can take a toll on teams and their players with shake-ups breaking bonds that existed for years. While this is Dame’s first trade he has witnessed a fair few with the Portland Trailblazers.

Lillard’s loyalty to Portland meant that in his later years, he emerged as one of the senior players in the group. With this came a responsibility of leadership towards the rookies in the team one that he opens up on various aspects in an interview. He detailed how his leadership skills were sharpened when taking up the mentorship of a young Anfernee Simons.

Damian Lillard being Anfernee Simons’ mentor

Dame’s interview is presented through a YouTube video by the Knuckleheads Podcast. He talked about how “Ant” was heartbroken after CJ McCollum left the Trail Blazers and joined the New Orleans Pelicans. Dame being the senior, took up the leadership role, and became his mentor, on and off the court.

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Dame said, “He came in the league as a 18 year old, um, he didn’t have college experience, he hadn’t been on the court that much, but like from the day Ant walked in, I was already on his line.”

Lillard further added how he started training with the young Simons and even had his trainer train him. Even if he wasn’t playing he would come to Simons and guide him. “I come to the sideline like did you see how they just guard me, you see how they bliss me, you see how I hit the pocket, you see how I came and I passed ahead and let him make the pass,” said Lillard.

Anfernee Simons was shocked at the CJ McCollum trade

CJ McCollum was traded to the Pelicans in 2022, after spending 9 years at the Trail Blazers. This was a massive blow for the young Simons. He opened up about this to Shams Charania previously in an interview and expressed his reaction.

Simons said that it was a bit weird for him to cope with the fact that CJ was getting traded. He never imagined this to happen. Watching him don the Pelicans shirt the very next day was heartbreaking for him. But at the same time, he congratulated CJ for his new venture and was glad that everything worked fine for him.

“He’s been there my whole career, and he’d been there already for nine years. Just to see him go was kind of weird because he’s just one of those guys you never thought was going to leave. It was kind of weird seeing him the next night in a Pelicans uniform and seeing him play. Obviously, I’m glad everything worked out for where he wanted to go. I’m praying for him in his new situation.”

Now that Lillard also got traded, we really hope Simons is not having a tough time. If he can just implement the learnings on the court, he sure can go far in the league. After all there are worse people to take advice from than Damian Lillard.

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