Home Is Where The Heart Is

NBA Basketball Superstar Damian Lillard in a shocking move on a random Saturday afternoon signed back with the Portland Trail Blazers. It was a move that came out of nowhere, but I think all of us in the NBA world saw it as a perfect story and ending. Dame is 35 now and will probably retire with the team and the place he has always called home, Portland. Dame was drafted by the Trail Blazers in 2012 and spent 11 years with them till 2023 when he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, but we all knew he didn't want to leave. Dame is a superstar and single handedly after he was drafted took the Blazers to the playoffs multiple years and hit amazing buzzer beaters that it is hard to even remember them all.

He did a lot for the Portland community and was loved. There were lots of times due to his shortcomings in which people wondered why he was still in Portland, but Dame remained and did everything he can for the city and organization. He was the definition of loyalty and through all the bad times he continued to stay no matter what. He was well respected by his peers and fans like me because he gave it his all and said the only championship he wanted to win was with Portland, the team that took a chance on the kid from Oakland and Weber State College. After multiple failures in the playoffs and ups and downs he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks to try to contend for a championship with fellow superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Dame had a hard time adjusting to life in Milwaukee and even talked about the struggles he had when it came to seeing his family because they were still living in Portland. He had his days but still put up his regular stats and the Bucks made it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, he missed a couple games due to injury and the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round. In the second year he suffered from Blood Clots that sidelined him for the first 3 games of the playoff series and in his return from injury hurt his Achilles in the 4th game. Dame was out for the rest of the series and the Bucks lost again to the Pacers in the first round. Dame was shockingly released by the Bucks this past summer and most people thought he would take a year off to rehab his Achilles and then sign with a contending team to chase a championship but like everyone was hit with the move of him going back to the Blazers.

Home is where the heart is, and the Portland Trail Blazers welcomed him back with open arms. To all of us NBA fans it just felt right and even if Dame never wins a championship, he is where his heart is, and his loyalty will always be commended. It is important at times for everyone to branch out and go against their comfort zone which can be moving to a new place, trying new challenges etc. but at times depending on the person it is okay to be still. It is okay to be where you're loved and appreciated if you are happy. All of us seek that at the end of the day and for Dame Portland will forever be that place.