Damian Lillard to opt out of the Tokyo Olympics if Trail Blazers make 2021 NBA Finals?

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard aims to help his team reach NBA Finals soon. . 8 seed in Western Conference this year, y were eliminated after a Round 1 loss against Los Angeles Lakers. However, Lillard and team are determined to improve next year, hoping for a higher seed and a much-needed spot in NBA Finals. However, ir 30-year-old star might t play Olympics in case y make it to finals. 

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Will Damian Lillard opt out of Olympics next year?

Following an extended 2019-20 due to COVID-19 crisis, NBA will start ir next season on December, wrapping it up just before Olympics in 2021. During a recent interview, Lillard spoke about Olympics and how he might t make it if Portland makes playoffs. Per reports, Lillard would rar stay in US selection pool. 

“I don’t kw 100 percent,” Lillard said about Olympics. He added that he will have to see what it looks like, before making a final decision. Olympics are around his birthday, and if Trail Blazers do make it to Finals (and y win it), he might t play. However, Trail Blazers icon added that he will "see", t wanting to decide anything as of w. 

Lillard received some backlash on Twitter, fans unhappy with him making a comment like that. However, many were called out for speaking without kwing his entire quote, taking his words out of context. Most were also jokes and memes, as people compared how Trail Blazers and US Team would react. 

As per reports, roster selection process for Olympics team is still ongoing. However, re are rumours about an early-July training camp for all potential Olympians. “ scenario, as it stands right w, does seem problematic,” US head coach Gregg Popovich said. He added that timing is making everything difficult, and will require some "out-of--box type of thinking to put toger". 

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Critic calls out Damian Lillard Olympics comment, Trail Blazers star hits back on Twitter

Sometime after news was shared, analyst Ben DuBose commented on Lillard's apparent decision to sit out. "Congrats to Dame on Olympics," he wrote in a w-deleted tweet. After being called out by fans, he was quick to take back his comments, agreeing that he admitted being lazy and t listening to whole conversation. 

Lillard, however, apparently did t accept apology. "So who holds y’all accountable when y’all just say shit without doin your homework?" Lillard wrote, before adding a little "lol" at end. 

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Damian Lillard accolades

Lillard, a five-time NBA All-Star, is yet to play in Olympics (or FIBA World Cup). During Rio Olympics, he was a late add to team, and withdrew a month before so he could properly rest after NBA season. list of 44 team finalists was released earlier this year in February and included guards like Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving. 

Lillard's performance at NBA bubble was highly praised, even earning him bubble MVP award. He finished season with a 30-point and 8-assist aver per game. 

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(Im credits: Damian Lillard Twitter)