Lillard Reflects on Aldridge's Departure Impact

Damian Lillard, former star of the Portland Trail Blazers, believes his team could have won an NBA championship if LaMarcus Aldridge had not left for the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. Lillard, now with the Milwaukee Bucks, reflected on his time with Aldridge during a recent appearance on the Club 520 podcast. He stated that Aldridge's departure significantly impacted the team's chances, as their partnership was highly effective. Despite leading the Blazers to multiple playoff appearances and memorable moments, Lillard never reached the NBA Finals with the team. The Blazers' best performance came in 2019 when they reached the Western Conference Finals but were swept by the Golden State Warriors. This remains a significant 'what-if' in Lillard's career and Portland's history.