Lillard: Management didn't promise me that I would get a superstar like LeBron

November 04 - Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard was recently interviewed about his offseason conversations with team management.

Lillard said: "I spoke to Neil (Olsey, president of Blazers basketball operations) and he didn't promise me we would get LeBron (James)." They didn't tell me we were going to get a superstar because I didn't think you needed all the superstars to win the championship. We have cj (McCollum). He's an All-Star level player. We have Nurkic. He's one of the best centers in the league. This is how to form a team.

"If you look at the sun, they don't have a bunch of stars. Their players are very good at their duties and understand their team roles. Chris Paul and Devin Booker are All-Stars, but DeAndre Ayton is a quality center, Jay Crowder is an experienced high-quality four player who is tough, Cameron Johnson is good, and Mikall Bridges is my favorite small forward in the league. You just have to look at how this team fit together, they came out of the West to make it to the Finals. That's my vision.

"I don't think we're going to sign star players. I'm Damian Lillard and CJ is CJ McCollum. We have core players to do what the Suns have done. The key is how you fill the lineup. We just reached a consensus. I, Chansi (Billups) and Neil. We've all talked together and we've agreed on my ideas and Whether I think we can win the championship. That's good enough for me. I believe that. But let's see. They can't promise me anything, and I can't promise them anything, but we've come to a consensus.