Damian Lillard On His Shooting Slump: "I Embrace The Challenge."

The Athletic

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The Portland Trail Blazers have not started off the season particularly well. After tonight's loss against Philadelphia (who did not have Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, or Tobias Harris), the team is just 3-4 on the season and sitting in the middle of the pack in the West.

The biggest force behind Portland's struggles has been the play of Damian Lillard, which has been awful, to say the least. So far this season, he's averaging just 18.3 points on 34.9% shooting.

When asked about his struggles, Dame did not come up with an excuse.

"I see it as an opportunity to show my true character... I embrace that, it's not fun and it's not easy, I see it as a challenge and it's one I accept."

The quote is another example of Lillard's mamba-like mindset. He never shies away from the noise and never backs down from a challenge.

But if the Blazers hope to contend for a title this season, they're going to need him to play better -- and that fact has been made abundantly clear by their slow start.

Still, Lillard has expressed optimism about their potential before and it seems unlikely that feeling has changed.

“I’m optimistic. I’m a believer,” Lillard said. “And I love this organization.”

Not only have the Blazers chalked up these developments to a small sample size and early growing pains, Lillard has remained bullish that the team can be a championship contender this season.

“As long as we buy in,” Lillard said, “we could look like a completely different team on both ends of the floor.”

With only 7 games in the books, it's too early to tell if these struggles are just a phase or a sign of something more serious.

Either way, Rip City is desperately waiting for Lillard's "return" because, without him, they don't stand a chance.