The disappearing act that is Damion Lillard

The disappearing act that is Damion Lillard has been tough to watch man. I been a fan of him sense day 1. and When he hit that shot in game six a few years ago to beat Houston in the Playoffs I thought okay this dude has arrived. But for some reason this year He has totally vanished man. I spent some time trying to look over the last two games to see why he has been so passive and ineffective

The more of the games I watched the more two words kept propping up. Ball denials. Pelicans are not really doing anything special other than denying him touches. Fronting him. Thats it. They are doing a damn good Job at it but Damion is not helping. One thing about playing an overly aggressive defender who is constantly trying to deny you the ball is they are almost always susceptible to counter moves when you are moving without the basketball. What is a counter move. It is not really that complicated all it is is using your defenders momentum against him. Get him running one way then cut hard in the opposite direction. This works best when your defender turns his head to locate where the ball is in relationship to where you are. This is easier said than done especially if you are being guarded by some one who really moves their feet well. When that is the case you got to use more energy to try to get free and create some space so you can catch the ball and turn and face. Damion Lillard is giving up way too often and easily when he gets fronted. The really great ones will not be denied when they want to score. I guess dame has not reached that level yet. and he is about to be swept for his trouble.