2015 player exodus motivated Lillard, Blazers

Damian Lillard answers questions from the media during his presscon Tuesday. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Even before the start of the start of the 2015-2016 NBA season, Portland experienced an exodus like no other.

Of all the five Trailblazers in the starting lineup, only Damian Lillard was left to carry the hopes of Rip City.

All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge left for San Antonio, versatile wingmen Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum went to Dallas and Charlotte, respectively, while center Robin Lopez got shipped to New York.

Lillard, though, rallied the Blazers together with new partner-in-crime CJ McCollum en route to the Western Conference Playoffs before falling to defending champions Golden State in the second round.

“We’re in this type of situation and a lot of people counted us out,” said Lillard Tuesday at Shangri-La in Bonifacio Global City in his visit to Manila. “We took it as a challenge.”

Portland eventually became Lillard and McCollum’s showcase with the duo averaging 26.5 and 20.5 points per game, respectively.

“Everybody was in shape and we stayed together,” said Lillard. “And we believed in each other.”

Lillard was named to the All-NBA Second Team while McCollum was given the Most Improved Player Award.

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