Damian Lillard can never seem to catch a break when Steph Curry is in the vicinity stealing all the attention. Lillard must have developed a sense of resentment or feeling of inferiority, after achieving another impressive feat by winning the 3-point contest for the second year in a row—only to have the league create an entire event centered around Curry.
What was typically a highly anticipated main event on Saturday night was overshadowed by the greatest long-range shooter of the era that prioritizes floor spacing. Curry has been a constant thorn in Lillard’s side during All-Star weekends, throughout the regular season, and even in the playoffs for the past decade. Even when Lillard has his moment, Curry manages to steal the spotlight. Just fifteen minutes after Lillard’s victory, Curry was proudly displaying a 3-point belt around his shoulder at midcourt, receiving accolades as the master of the 3-point line.
In 2021, the All-Star exhibition was transformed into a long-distance shootout that ended with Lillard sinking the game-winning shot from the logo. The following year, Curry responded with a 50-point performance. Up until 2014, Lillard and Curry seemed to be on similar paths. They were both guards from mid-major colleges, serving as the cornerstone players for prominent West Coast franchises. However, Golden State began their dominant reign, leaving Lillard in Curry’s shadow.
Dame is becoming the Dominique Wilkins of our time. He is constantly haunted by Curry, much like how Wilkins was overshadowed by His Airness, Michael Jordan. Every generation has that one player. In the 80s, it was Wilkins being eclipsed by Jordan. T-Mac was always in Kobe’s shadow, even when he was healthy. Carmelo quickly lost his rivalry with LeBron James.
In 2019, Lillard threw shade at Curry after the Golden State Warriors swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals. This came at a time when Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were nursing injuries throughout the season, and the Blazers ended up with a disappointing 35-39 record during the bubble season. Just two days after Lillard infamously remarked, “He’s realizing that it’s tough to get those quality looks,” Curry dropped a mind-blowing 62 points on the Blazers.
A year later, Curry won his fourth championship once everyone returned to full strength in 2022. Lillard finally has his own Kevin Durant in Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, even when Curry is the face of a struggling franchise, Lillard continues to face criticism. Very few people are speaking positively about Lillard.
This was supposed to be the year that Lillard finally triumphed over Curry. Instead, the Milwaukee Bucks have lost 7 of their last 11 games since Doc Rivers took over from Adrian Griffin, and Lillard’s defensive capabilities have come under scrutiny on a team that prided itself on its defensive efforts under the previous coaching staff.
Unfortunately, Curry has drowned out Lillard’s career at almost every turn. Both Curry and Lillard have limited opportunities to participate in All-Star Games in the future. At some point, Lillard needs to take pride in himself and find a solution to his Curry problem, whether it’s delivering a vintage Dame Time moment in the Conference Finals or the NBA Finals.
According to the Source deadspin.com