Gary Payton: 'Damian Lillard must work on defense'

Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton believes that the Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard needs to work on his defensive play.

Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton has said that Damian Lillard needs to work on his defensive play.

The Portland Trail Blazers point guard averaged 20.7 points per game during the 2013-14 regular season and 22.9 during the playoffs, but has less than a block and a steal per game during his career.

Payton told CSNNW.com: "He can be like Patrick Beverley [of the Houston Rockets] if he wants to, but that's a mindset.

"I think Damian has to be willing and ready to play that type of way. Right now, he's scoring so easily and he's so good at the offensive end, he doesn't have to think about defense. He doesn't have to think about it because he knows he can outscore somebody.

"He can have 35 [points] when he wants to and that's where the game is going right now. But we have to get that out his mindset. If he wants to be a two-way guard and have his name in a legacy for being that way, he has to step it up on the defensive end."

Lillard was the sixth overall pick in the 2012 Draft.

Body No Change:ID:159877:1false2false3false
Written by
Sian Cowper

Click here for more stories about Gary Payton

Click here for more stories about Portland Trail Blazers

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard in action during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on February 16, 2013
Read Next:
Lillard praises group mentality after win
>
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!