Lillard Reflects on Westbrook's Aggressive Tactics

Damian Lillard recently revealed on the 'Club 520' podcast that his intense rivalry with Russell Westbrook stemmed from Westbrook's aggressive and often bullying tactics on the court. Lillard shared that during his early NBA years, Westbrook would relentlessly try to dominate him, to the point where Kevin Durant, their teammate at the time, would express frustration over Westbrook's excessive shooting. Lillard described Westbrook's approach as turning games into personal battles, which he initially found overwhelming but later learned to counter with aggression of his own. This dynamic, according to Lillard, may have contributed to tensions that ultimately influenced Durant's decision to leave Oklahoma City for the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Despite their past rivalry, Lillard acknowledges Westbrook's impact on the game and continues to respect his achievements in the NBA.