Sad news for Portland Trail Blazers: Another issue

Damian Lillard gives his goodbye message to Portland: “I feel sad.”

Lillard acknowledged a wide range of people and indicated his wish to return to Portland.

The Damian Lillard deal shocked the NBA world in the middle of the week. The day after the news broke, the star guard addressed a message to Portland Trail Blazers fans.

After being moved to the Milwaukee Bucks at his own request, Lillard issued a lengthy statement to the city of Portland, the fans, the organization members, and the people with whom he had strong relationships.

Dear Rip City,

I’d like to start by emphasizing that this is not a goodbye, but rather a see you later. When it comes to you, Rip City, I’ve always spoken from the heart. I consider you my home, as do many of my family members, and this will not change. I’ve spent my entire adult life here, and I’ve made countless friends that I will never forget. As wonderful as my experiences on the basketball court have been, they pale in comparison to the ones I’ve had with all of you. The way you embraced me from the beginning left me with no choice but to repay the love a thousand times over, and I have no regrets.

I must say that it saddens me to watch some people crossover and appear as my opponents in the aftermath of my request to be exchanged without knowing the truth, because I am truly one of you. I’m hoping for a day when we can all get together and reminisce about the good times, because we won’t have them again – at least not in the same way.

I was the young, new, confident, proud, competitive, Rip City-loving, mid-major PG that you couldn’t get enough of. Now I’m older and on my way out of the door, which I always hoped would lead to retirement, not another team. I’m leaving with nothing but love for the fans and this city. This will never change. I’d want to thank Jody Allen. Jody, when I first met you, you were wearing Alexander McQueen sneakers and a vintage Blazers jacket, and I thought, “This is a cool woman.” I knew we would be fine. I apologize for any misunderstandings this summer because you have been fantastic in every way over the last five years. I

Thank you to Neil Olshey for selecting me as the sixth choice in the 2023 NBA Draft and allowing me to land in such a wonderful spot for my life and career. I’d also like to thank Terry Stotts for the freedom and love he provided over my nine years with the organization. Without you, I would not have reached my full potential as a player.

Thank you to David Vanterpool, Kaleb Canales, Jay Triano, Dale Osbourne, Nate Tibbetts, Jim Moran, John McCullough, and Kim Hughes for being the village that pushed me in the proper direction as an NBA player.

My former teammates know who I genuinely am. It’s the same both publicly and privately, which gives me some comfort. I love you both.

To my young man Anferno! Lol… He hates it when I say it, but I genuinely believe in you, guy. I saw it from the beginning. It was not so much your God-given talents and abilities as the person you are that gave me true faith in your ability to succeed in this league. I’m delighted to see you achieve it. You understand where you stand in our fraternity and in my heart. I love you, bra.

Chauncey, dude, I love you. I consider David Vanterpool, along with a few others, to be my closest NBA OG, and I would position you there with or without basketball. The last two years have been difficult for both you and me, but it has been a pleasure to develop my relationship with you, bra.

Coach Steve Hetzel, I appreciate you as a man and for challenging me to grow my game. You forever have a friend in me. Mark Tyndale, I appreciate you bro, you know what it is. Roy, I appreciate how invested your are in doing what needs to be done, and I appreciate you as a leader of men. Scotty Brooks, I’ll miss you. It’s It’s been a trye pleasure getting to know you. Jason and Ike, thank you for always being available last minute, at my house, any time of the day… Means a lot. I’ll miss you guys bro. Heavyn, Dr. Green – y’all my dogs, and y’all better stay in that word without me! God don’t like ugly, lol.

My guys, Eric Hallman and Cory Lay, if I had to perform your duties, I would have quit long ago. In this league and many other professions, there are folks who perform the dirty job and behind-the-scenes work that never receives recognition or acknowledgement, but the ship would sink without them. Much love, nice brothers.

Geoff Clark, you are one heck of a guy. I can’t express how much comfort you’ve given me just seeing you in the building every day. I love you like family, and I will miss seeing you, guy. Cheri Hanson, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 11 years with you, it’s that no one is too large or too elderly to say please.

Hi, Beth Hancock. Thank you for being a dear friend. You’ve been incredibly helpful and supportive of me since I was a child. And you haven’t gotten any older… I love you, BH!

Dear Jim Taylor, I have missed you the past several seasons, but you are one of us! I recall you telling me at my first All-Star Game, when it became quite crowded and I was complaining that “success and failure are equally disastrous,” and you were not lying. It is a lovely fight.

Nick West, thank you for everything, man. You kept everything running well while no one was aware. You’re a fantastic guy and buddy, bro; I’ll see you.

My friend Zilla/Mr. Forcier, our time is up, but the brotherhood continues. Much love.

Thank you, Annie Klug, for your ongoing support of all of my community activities, particularly my Respect Program, which is very close to my heart. It’s one thing to support another person’s mission, but you’ve put as much in the program as I have, and I appreciate it.

Oh, Bruce Ely! Thank you for capturing all of the important moments on and off the court! You have a gift, my friend.

Tristan, thank you for always being willing to jump in and help. Your creativity is unique.

Grandpa Chico, you understand what it is. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.

RD, you can expect your usual texts from me because you’re the only guy I know who watches every fight like I do. Small cards for prize battles… You don’t know anything about boxing, lol.

My apologies to all local media members, including Casey Holdahl, Jason Quick, Sean Highkin, Danny Marang, Dwight Jaynes, Aaron Fentress, and anybody else I may have overlooked. We’ve had our fair share of disputes and furious exchanges, but I consider myself a true man. I have nothing against you; I have always tried to give you my true self and every opportunity to do your duties to the best of my ability. Some of you have annoyed me on occasion, but that’s part of the game. I am sure you folks have

When we are stripped of what we do for a living, all we have is our genuine selves, and I am the type of guy that is concerned about the well-being and quality of life of others. I want to clear everything negative with you since life is too short, and you never know what others are going through. When stuff comes down, your more human/compassionate side will beat you up if you don’t resolve it. Much love to everyone… Peace.

As this chapter of my life comes to a conclusion, I reflect on how great it has been. Even now, I’m unhappy that we never accomplished what I so desperately desired. I don’t cry often, but I know my feelings for you are genuine because I am probably crying right now. Rip City, you know my heart and where I stand because I’ve been there for over a decade, thus having to leave my square crushes my heart. As my guy Chief says, “One man don’t stop no show,” and the show in Rip City must continue with or without me. I feel a day will come when I can put on a Blazers uniform again, and hopefully,