Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has been named the winner of the 2020/2021 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, the league announced today.
A panel of league executives selected 12 candidates, six from each conference, and current NBA players selected the winner from the list of 12 choices. The award is given to the player “deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team.”
More than 300 players voted this year, with Lillard receiving 40 first-place votes. Other nominees included Suns guard Chris Paul, Nets forward Joe Harris, 76ers forward Tobias Harris, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, and Heat forward Udonis Haslem.
Paul, the runner-up, actually received more first-place votes (47), but Lillard’s 1,012 total points narrowly edged CP3’s 1,001.
Lillard averaged 28.8 points and 7.5 assists this season while leading the Blazers to a six seed in the Western Conference. He was also named to his sixth All Star game. Lillard received his third NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente in April for his work empowering the youth of Portland, and has previously won the 2018/19 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for outstanding service and dedication to his community.
The Trail Blazers are currently down 3-2 in their first round playoff series against the Nuggets, in which Lillard is averaging a playoff career high 35.6 points a night to go with 9.6 assists. They’ll look to extend their season tonight.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Participation award next?
It would be real close. But, you might be able to win one.
Aw. Here you go Vince, helpful on the internet award.
(Not being cheeky,just figured if government you one qnd not 5hat other guy)
What?
I try to be helpful. I don’t need the award. But, I appreciate the gesture.
Congrats I need some more award winners here with me (I’m #1 commenter FYI)
I’m glad they voted on this before he was [understandably] glaring at his teammates for blowing the game the other night.
And there were more glares tonight… although Lilliard was the one missing shots.
CPaul glares much of the time… He had the most #1s, but probably got held back for his unpopularity… after all it is a an award for teammate-ship.
But CPaul did a lot for his teammates!
B..O..B..A..N
Well that’s one thing Lillard can win in Portland. He certainly will not be winning a championship there.
I think it dilutes the concept of being a great teammate when a guy accepts an award for it.
Time to get Dame some help.
CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, Nas Little and a first round pick for Brandon Ingram, Steven Adams and 2 second round picks.
1. Lillard. Simons
2. Powell. Reggie Bullock
3. Ingram. Jones Jr
4. Covington. Melo
5. Adams. Kanter
Plus some second rounders for some young depth and competitiveness. I’d suggest Daishon Nix, BJ Boston, Herb Jones and Charles Bassey.
Well you know what they say… Teammates win championships….. Wait that’s not what they say?
In a world filled with fickleness here’s a guy with unwavering loyalty. In the end analysis that says far more about who I’d want to invest my viewing time with. He’ll probably end up like Elgin Baylor, John Stockton, or Reggie Miller. All those years with one team and no championship. Damian Lillard or Anthony Davis is that foxhole with me? Easy answer.
If you’d rather die in a foxhole with Dame than have AD boost you to a victory than have fun in your foxhole lol. Odd choice, but your decision.
I think loyalty is highly overrated, and feels like one of those things old timers cling to for fear of change.