2024.02.24 10:01

Damian Lillard’s Scoring Prowess and Offensive Contribution

Damian Lillard, also known as “Dame D.O.L.L.A.”, is one of the most dynamic scorers in the NBA today. Standing at 6’3″ with lightning-quick agility and a deadly shooting stroke, Lillard has been terrorizing defenses since he entered the league in 2012. But just how many points does this electric point guard average? In this blog post, we will dive into Lillard’s scoring numbers throughout his career, analyze his scoring efficiency, and discuss the impact of his scoring on team success. We will also compare Lillard’s scoring with other NBA players and make projections for his future scoring output.

Lillard’s Points Per Game Throughout His Career

Lillard was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. From his rookie year onwards, he has been a consistent scorer, averaging double-digit points in each season. Let’s take a closer look at his scoring numbers throughout his career.

Rookie Year (2012-2013)

In his first season in the NBA, Lillard made an immediate impact, winning the Rookie of the Year award. He averaged 19.0 points per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 84.3% from the free throw line. He also showed off his long-range shooting abilities, hitting 185 three-pointers at a 36.8% clip. Lillard established himself as a go-to scorer for the Blazers, leading the team in scoring and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Early Years (2013-2016)

In the following years, Lillard’s scoring numbers continued to rise. He averaged 20.7 points per game in the 2013-2014 season, followed by 21.0 points per game in the 2014-2015 season. Lillard also improved his shooting efficiency, shooting 43.7% from the field and 86.4% from the free throw line in the 2014-2015 season. He also made his first All-Star appearance in 2014 and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

In the 2015-2016 season, Lillard had his best scoring year yet, averaging 25.1 points per game. He also shot a career-high 44.4% from the field and 89.2% from the free throw line. His three-point shooting also improved, as he made 236 three-pointers at a 37.5% clip. The Blazers made it to the playoffs that year, with Lillard leading the team in scoring and earning his second All-Star selection.

Prime Years (2016-2020)

From 2016 until the present, Lillard has been an elite scorer in the NBA. He has averaged over 25 points per game in each of these seasons, with a career-high of 30.0 points per game in the 2019-2020 season. He has also become more efficient, shooting above 44% from the field and above 88% from the free throw line in each of these years. Lillard’s three-point shooting has also been consistently outstanding, making over 200 three-pointers in each of these seasons at a high percentage.

In the 2018-2019 season, Lillard led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals and averaged 26.9 points per game in the playoffs. He also hit one of the most iconic shots in NBA history, a 37-foot buzzer-beater to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. This cemented Lillard’s reputation as a clutch performer and a top scorer in the league.

Analyzing Lillard’s Scoring Efficiency

Lillard’s scoring numbers are impressive, but what sets him apart from other NBA players is his efficiency. Let’s take a closer look at his shooting percentages and advanced statistics to analyze his scoring efficiency.

Shooting Percentages

As mentioned earlier, Lillard has been shooting above 44% from the field and above 88% from the free throw line in each of the past four seasons. This is remarkable for a guard who handles the ball as much as Lillard does and takes a high volume of shots from all over the court. His ability to knock down tough shots and get to the free throw line consistently contributes to his high scoring output.

Advanced Statistics

Advanced statistics also paint a positive picture of Lillard’s scoring efficiency. His true shooting percentage (TS%) has been above 57% in each of the past four seasons, with a career-high of 62.7% in the 2019-2020 season. TS% takes into account the value of three-pointers and free throws, making it a more accurate measure of shooting efficiency. Lillard’s TS% ranks among the best in the league consistently, showing his elite scoring efficiency.

Another advanced statistic that showcases Lillard’s scoring prowess is his usage rate. Usage rate measures the percentage of plays that end with a player’s shot attempt, turnover, or trip to the free throw line. In each of the past four seasons, Lillard’s usage rate has been above 30%, with a career-high of 33.1% in the 2019-2020 season. This means that Lillard is responsible for a large portion of the Blazers’ offense, yet he still manages to maintain high levels of efficiency.

Impact of Lillard’s Scoring on Team Success

Lillard’s scoring abilities have not only earned him individual accolades but also helped the Blazers achieve team success. Let’s take a closer look at how Lillard’s scoring has impacted the Blazers’ performance.

Team Success

Since Lillard’s arrival in Portland, the Blazers have made the playoffs eight times out of nine seasons. Lillard has been the leading scorer on each of these playoff teams and has consistently raised his level of play in the postseason. In 2019, he led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals, their first trip since 2000. The Blazers have also had winning records in seven out of nine seasons with Lillard, proving his impact on the team’s success.

Offensive Rating and Efficiency

Lillard’s scoring prowess has also translated to team success in terms of offensive rating and efficiency. The Blazers have had a top 10 offensive rating in six out of nine seasons with Lillard, with a high of 4th in the 2017-2018 season. This means that the Blazers’ offense is among the best in the league with Lillard as their primary scorer.

In terms of offensive efficiency, the Blazers have ranked in the top 10 in four out of nine seasons with Lillard. This metric takes into account points scored per 100 possessions, making it a more accurate measure of how efficient a team’s offense is. With Lillard leading the charge, the Blazers have consistently been one of the most efficient offenses in the league.

Comparison of Lillard’s Scoring with Other NBA Players

To truly appreciate Lillard’s scoring abilities, we need to compare him to other top scorers in the NBA. Let’s take a look at how Lillard stacks up against some of the best offensive players in the league.

Steph Curry

Stephen Curry, a two-time MVP and three-time NBA champion, is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He is known for his impressive three-point shooting and has averaged over 30 points per game in four out of the past six seasons. However, when we compare his scoring numbers to Lillard’s, we can see that Lillard is not far behind.

In terms of career scoring average, Curry has a slight edge with 23.8 points per game compared to Lillard’s 24.7. However, in the past five seasons (excluding the 2019-2020 season where Curry was injured), both players have averaged over 26 points per game. In terms of shooting efficiency, Lillard has the upper hand with a higher field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and true shooting percentage. While Curry may have more accolades and team success, Lillard’s individual scoring numbers stand toe-to-toe with one of the best scorers in NBA history.

James Harden

James Harden, a former MVP and scoring champion, is known for his ability to score in a variety of ways. He is a master at getting to the free throw line and has averaged over 30 points per game in each of the past three seasons. When we compare his scoring numbers to Lillard’s, we can see that they are quite similar.

In terms of career scoring average, Harden has a slight edge with 25.2 points per game compared to Lillard’s 24.7. However, in the past five seasons, Lillard has averaged slightly more points per game than Harden. In terms of shooting efficiency, Lillard again has the upper hand with a higher field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and true shooting percentage. While Harden may be considered the better scorer by some, Lillard’s scoring output is on par with the “Beard.”

Projection of Lillard’s Future Scoring Output

Lillard just turned 31 years old, so it’s natural to wonder how much longer he will be able to maintain such high scoring numbers. However, based on his consistent improvement and elite scoring efficiency, it’s safe to say that Lillard will continue to be one of the top scorers in the NBA for years to come.

In fact, Lillard has already shown signs of improving his scoring output. In the 2019-2020 season, he averaged a career-high 30.0 points per game and was well on his way to surpassing that number in the 2020-2021 season before it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With his dedication to continuously improve his game, Lillard’s future scoring output looks promising.

Conclusion

Damian Lillard is an offensive force to be reckoned with in the NBA. His scoring numbers have consistently been among the best in the league, and his efficiency sets him apart from other top scorers. His impact on the Blazers’ team success cannot be ignored, and his scoring prowess continues to elevate his team’s performance. When compared to other top scorers in the league, Lillard’s numbers stack up impressively. And at just 31 years old, his future scoring output looks bright. As we continue to watch Lillard dominate on the court, one thing is for sure – he will continue to light up the scoreboard for many years to come.