Damian Lillard didn't become a beloved figure in Portland by accident. Aside from his on-court heroics and his relentless work ethic, Lillard has placed an emphasis on being immersed within the broader Portland community, focusing on things that go beyond the basketball court.
That apparently includes showing gratitude to the people who make life easier for the Blazers' players and coaches. According to Jason Quick of CSN Northwest, Lillard convinced his teammates to give up the entirety of their playoff bonuses—around $16,000 a player—in order to give them to team staffers instead.
Lillard provided a brief statement on why they decided to go this route:
We divide our playoff shares to give to the people who we work so closely with because they spend as much time away from their families as we do, and they are just about as invested as we are. They also do as much as possible to make our lives easier, even if it makes theirs more difficult—all while making far less. So it’s a further way of showing appreciation beyond a thank you or a handshake.
Though the idea originated from another player—former Blazers center Chris Kaman spoke with Lillard years ago about sacrificing playoff checks—Lillard has apparently carried on the tradition for the last couple seasons in his capacity as team captain.
Lillard is always looking for ways to spread the wealth amongst people who need it more than he does. He returned to his old high school in the Bay Area in late 2016, helping to renovate the athletic facilities and fund the construction of a new music studio at Oakland High School. Lillard also recently won the Magic Johnson Award, handed down by the Pro Basketball Writers Association to the player who "best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public."
Even if you're not a Blazers fan, Lillard's giving nature makes it easy to root for the two-time All-Star. He consistently shows keen awareness of basketball's small role in the grand scheme of things, and he puts as much effort into being a good person as he does getting buckets.
