Is Dame Dollar Happier Back in Portland Now?
[Music] So, you know, anyway, let’s let’s talk a little bit about Dame Dollar. I mean, Dame Dollar looked like he went back home. You know, sometimes you leave home and you think it’s better on the other side. Maybe the other side of town looks good. And then all of a sudden you get to that side of town and you feel like, well, you know what? I might have just stayed home. Looks like he’s returning to Portland. Tell us a little bit about that, N. Not really. Now, cuz not really now, cuz if you realize, if you actually sit there and pay attention what he has played with on his team, he has lost talent as long the longer he was staying there, they were getting worse. They was getting worse. And then, of course, he wanted to be able to compete. He was already paying for a um you know for a low market team already and you telling me I’m getting worse. Yes. Like it was he thought it was time for him to leave. Well, if just think about it, you’re on a you you do have your own franchise. You’re a franchise player. I’ll give you that. Yes. But if your team is getting worse and worse and worse and you mean to tell me I have a chance to play with the best power for in the league that just recently, not too long won a championship [Music] and I might want to win a championship as I’m leaving. He’s 35 years old. Like I I think I will probably try to win it too. They were looking for another offensive player to help uh Giannis onto Dumpo to get his his you know to to get him back to the promised land again. and I’m looking for a teammate to get me to that promised land for the first time ever. Like, why would I not take that opportunity? Right now, they did have a lot of they had they had a lot of obstacles to go through. Both him and um Giannis was getting hurt from time to time. They had to switch up their coaches and then next thing, you know, guess who guess what? Um they ain’t popped his Achilles. Now they just it just nothing never went right. He went over there, right? And it looks like he’ll be out all of next year. This coming season, even with Portland, he’s not going to be in there. You got to take the entire season off, especially when you do it in the playoffs. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No doubt about it. I mean, that that’s a serious injury. Even though technology helps speed up the pro recovery process, that injury is bad, man, cuz it controls all of your movement in your feet. Yes. In your foot, and and it’s not an easy injury to recover from, you know, especially with the push. If he would have got hurt early last season, he would have been good to play sometime this season. But for you to do it in the playoffs, you’re done. Just like T uh Tyrese Halenberg, guess what? He did it the la the very last game you can do of the season, which was game seven of the finals. So guess what? He’s going to miss the entire season. Jason Tatum, he’s going to miss the entire season. Yes. Yes. So Isaiah, let me ask you this. What about Ben Simmons? It looks like the Celtics is interested in Ben Simmons because the Celtics was actually showing interest in Damen Lillard. You think Ben Simmons is salvageable? Isaiah, I just think he’s when I see a guy like that want to get on a team like the Celtics, I don’t know whether he’ll be a good fit over there, DC. you know. Mhm. They they need some extra added players because, you know, they going through their crisis, but I don’t know whether he’ll be a good fit over there. I mean, maybe they need to bring him in there and and camp early and see if he works out and then if he don’t, they going to trade him off before the season start because it’s all about the chemistry when when whenever you start acquiring these guys like that. So, let’s see if he can jail with the rest of the players that’s over there because from what happened to the Celtics last year, they’re clearly missing some, you know, pieces of their puzzle to get better. So, adding him in there, it might work, but chances are they they need to just bring him in camp and see if he’ll he’ll pan out. That’s the way I feel about it. Yeah. My my take on Ben Simmons is, you know, his his motivation level. I mean, he’s been on multiple teams and it just doesn’t seem to me like that motivation is there for him to come in and help a team um with his talent level. This is what I pick up from what I’ve watched when he was with Philadelphia and when he was with Brooklyn and several teams. It it just I don’t know, man. Maybe Naji can answer that question for me. I I don’t have the confidence that Ben Simmons, even if the Celtics were to sign him, I don’t see him making a big impact because Jason Tatum’s going to be out. So that means if they sign him, they going to want to play him, you know, extensively to be able to kind of fill in some of that void for Jason Tatum. He’s not going to do it because he’s not even an offensive player. He’s just a he’s just a tall point guard that can’t shoot. Yeah, exactly. about 69 610 and he can’t shoot the ball. Tatum shoot shoes and see can’t shoot because Tatum, you know, offensively he was like 80 90% of their offense. Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, and then Brown of course was the rest of it. I mean, you put them two guys together. Yeah. You know, you had Jaylen Brown and he was he was that dude’s a stud, man. I mean, that dude is I mean, Jason Tatum gets all of the press. It tends to be. Yeah. But when they were in in hot water and they were in deep trouble against some team, Brown came through, man. Brown made it happen. Brown is the cleanup man though, DC. He is a cleanup man for sure. I think that almost got to do with a um a skin factor because you know he’s he’s the luch and then of course that is like a pretty boy. You know what I’m saying? Oh my goodness. Why would you bring a term up like that? Mucho fail. They look they look at Brown like he’s the ugly guy and then hit him as the is the is the pretty boy. You know, he’s flashy, he’s handsome, he’s got all his wellgroomed and stuff like that and then Brian sometime look any kind of way. You know, he had his hair painted one year, blue or something like that and then it was just looking at me crazy. But I’mma tell you, when his hair was blue, he was lighting it up, man. Remember that dodgy when his hair was blue, when he had to dye his hair, he had blue streaks in his head. Oh, is that you sure that’s Jaylen Brown? I think you’re talking about that other Boston player. And I I can’t remember his name. Uh, Smart. I think you’re talking about Smart. Marcus Smart. Marcus Smart. The one that used to have his hair. Yeah, he used to have that that blue and that green when he was with the Celtics. He had that green hair color. I don’t think Jaylen Brown that I could remember ever dyed his hair. He’s always had it braided. I’ve seen him with a braid. Yeah. And he he looks to me that brother looks sharp now. I mean Jaylen Brown, he’s a sharp looking brother. He’s his beard stays well groomed. I mean he’s he’s got his hair in order with the braids. And you can tell he takes care of himself, man. He’s he’s like you say, he’s just a little bit darker in skin color than than Jason Tatum. When it comes to them, man, I’m telling you, he’s more Yeah, Tatum is more marketable. Yes, absolutely. Thank you, Naji. You just button it up to the tea. He’s a more marketable guy. So, tell me a little bit. Exactly. So, tell me a little bit about Marcus Smart joining the Lakers, Naji. What do you think about that for them Apple? How about them apples? Yeah, that’s that’s going to be crazy now because now you talking about that now you have a defensive um backcourt player. That’s what they really lacking because uh Austin Reeves can’t guard anybody. Ronnie can’t guard any he can’t guard anybody. So when you talking about somebody that um he because you don’t have to you you don’t need he can he can run the point guard position but he don’t have to be the playmaker because of course we know who that’s going to be. LeBron and uh and um Luca. So that they already got enough playmakers. They they really need to start guarding fast guards like um D Fox for the Spurs. You got John Morant for the Grizzlies. you they that’s what they really need him for because that’s what we struggle the most because they already lost the big man they had in AD when it comes to um blocking the paint because that’s what AD AD erased a lot of their flaws when it came to guarding the back court because they blow right past old LeBron Luca can’t guard nobody Austin Reed can’t guard nobody so they used to just cut straight to the rim and that used to hurt them a lot but then when they had AD AD was like okay come to this rim I guarantee you ain’t going to get it he’ll block it. So it it erased a lot of their flaws when it So when they lost AD, you saw the flaws with exploited crazy like they was getting to the rim at will and that’s crazy for a team to get to the rim at will when it’s a three-point lead now. So you rip is losing, you’re losing, right? Right. So that’s why they could go too far. as as good as as good as LeBron and Luca were together playmaking and and also creating the tempo and and um and handle and like you know and maintaining the tempo of the game. They couldn’t guard nobody. When it came to fast players, they couldn’t guard a soul. So having smart that can actually guard the the um the back court, it helps them a lot. Now he can’t really he’s not a reliable shooter. That’s so they Boston in those championship years. I mean, he was he was a hell of a player when it came to defense. Like you said, he could defend the basket, but Marcus But the thing is Marcus M don’t have a championship. They went to the finals with him. They went to the finals with him. Okay. Okay. They they went with him back in um 20 22 when they played against the Warriors. Correct. That’s the only time they went to the final. Yeah. So they they lost that game to the Warriors, right? They they that’s when they had they had Drew Holiday when they had when they wanted to find out that the Celtics had Drew Holiday. They they basically got rid of him and br Drew Holiday in. So, but um at least LA you could say he had championship experience. Yeah, that’s that’s what kind of I was kind of driving toward was he was on those teams that actually went to the championship. Now, bringing in Drew Holiday was a game changer because Drew Holiday can actually score too. So with him playing defense and being able to get into that paint, you know, was Drew Holiday. He’s one of those lock down defenders that literally stays on you. So that that’s what helped them a lot. Absolutely. Absolutely. So Isaiah, let me ask you this. It looks like Austin Reeves, since we were talking about Austin Reeves earlier, turned down a $89 million contract with the Lakers with the idea that he’s going to get a bigger contract somewhere else. You think he should have signed it or should he had declined it like he did according to you know news that I’m reading here? He may be hearing something else. So another team may be telling or they may be in his ear telling him that he couldn’t can get more money right am yeah spread it all over that contract man. Yeah, he learned that from LeBron cuz LeBron do the same thing when he want to play. What he do is is go ahead and get out of that one and create another one so he can make more cuz we already know LeBron is not going to play that much longer. He’s already at what year 23. So he So by you going ahead and saying no now I’m going to decline that because when he leaves now all that money LeBron is making is going to be in the bucket. So I now I can eat more now. Yes. Yes. Yes. You know, I I just it’s amazing, man, how they pay these players nowadays. And I’m not saying cuz Austin Reeds deserves a max contract. I I I just I think like that because he’s really kind of exceeded the expectation of a lot of people who when I first started watching Austin Reeves, you know, he he he just progressed to me every year. once, like you said, defense is not as strong, but his offensive skill set is really good, and I think he do does deserve a contract that that’s going to be competitive with players that’s kind of equal to his talent level. I would think he would should be better, have a better situation. I think he’s looking for something in the 100 plus million bracket and he’ll probably get it. I think somebody will give it to him. Yeah, bro. I mean, then of course and of course in in getting a contract in California, you trying to max out as much as possible anyway cuz y taxes and all that stuff. Y tax too much. I tax way too much. Yeah, it’s almost 10%. Yeah. Sales tax. It’s crazy. Well, you know, I just was reading the other day that In-N-Out Burger, who’s well, it’s a Los Angeles-based chain. I mean, they started here and it’s been a legacy uh hamburger chain forever. I mean, everybody that comes to town, the first thing they ask me is about In-N-Out Burger cuz they have some really unique burgers. They taste really good. Every In-N-Out Burger that I pass is freaking packed. I mean, cars all lined up around the block. Anyway, the new owner is moving the franchise to Tennessee and this she said the same thing. Look, Cal California is just too expensive to do business out here. So, that’s telling the state that the state need to reassess what they’re doing. They need to reassess how they’re going to reach out and keep these businesses here because they let Toyota get out of here and go to Texas. And I think Tesla is already in the in the process of getting out of here going to Texas. So, they got to compete otherwise these businesses all are going to vacate. It’ll be very few major businesses in Los Angeles that we described there. Exactly. Because I know I think W Walgreens pulled out too, especially up north in the San Francisco Bay area. They pulled out up there. You’ve reached the end of another episode of the DC Stewart Sports Talk podcast. Be sure to connect with us at Facebook and Twitter.com. Your voice is important, so head over to iTunes to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. Catch our next episode.
Join us as I dive into the excitement of Damian Lillard’s return to Portland and see if I can score some exclusive insights from fans and players alike!
The DC Stewart Show crew debates Dame Dollar’s situation with the Portland trail Blazers, and whether leaving was the best move. They also discuss the Boston Celtics possibly acquiring Ben Simmons, and how that would affect team chemistry as well as the NBA. Be sure to subscribe for more NBA’s ws and Sports Talk Radio.
Damian Lillard is back in Portland! After a whirlwind stint with the Milwaukee Bucks ended in injury and disappointment, Dame D.O.L.L.A. has returned to the team that made him a legend — the Portland Trail Blazers.
In this episode of the DC Stewart Show, Derek, Isaah, and Najee break down why Lillard’s homecoming is bigger than basketball, analyze what went wrong in Milwaukee, and debate whether this return signals redemption or retirement. Plus, we talk Ben Simmons’ Celtics rumors, Marcus Smart’s move to the Lakers, and the real reason Austin Reaves declined $89M.
🎥 Get exclusive insight, player dynamics, contract details, and the bigger business behind NBA moves.
🔔 Subscribe for more real talk, unfiltered takes, and weekly sports analysis from the streets to the pros.
#DamianLillard #TrailBlazers #NBATalk #NBAReturn #DCStewartShow
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Damian Lillard Cut by Bucks
01:03 – Lillard’s Return to Portland: Loyalty or Last Hope?
02:10 – Dame’s Injury and Achilles Recovery Outlook
03:22 – Portland’s Rebuild and Lillard’s Role
04:45 – Ben Simmons to Celtics? Fit and Chemistry Breakdown
05:40 – Celtics’ Missing Pieces and Tatum’s Absence
06:50 – Marketability: Jason Tatum vs. Jalen Brown Debate
08:00 – Marcus Smart Joins Lakers: What It Means
09:30 – Lakers’ Defensive Woes Without AD
10:25 – Austin Reaves Contract Decline: Smart or Risky?
12:00 – California Taxes and NBA Business Decisions
13:00 – Dame Dollar’s Legacy: Closing Thoughts
14:15 – Outro: DC Stewart Show Thanks Viewers
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Welcome to The DC Stewart Show Podcast, where real sports talk meets culture and entertainment. Hosted by Derek “DC” Stewart, along with co-hosts Isaah and Najee, this podcast was born in September 2024 out of a shared love for honest, unfiltered conversation. From breaking down NFL and NBA action to spotlighting college football and pop culture, this show is your weekly dose of sports, stories, and special guests who move the culture.
The DC Stewart Show crew debates Dame Dollar’s situation with the **portland trail blazers**, and whether leaving was the best move. They also discuss the **boston celtics** possibly acquiring Ben Simmons, and how that would affect team chemistry as well as the **nba**. Be sure to subscribe for more **nba news** and **sports talk radio**.
