Blazers' Damian Lillard wins Magic Johnson Award
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has won the Professional Basketball Writers Association's 2016-17 Magic Johnson Award, the organization announced today.
The award, which has been given annually since 2001, honors a player who "best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public."
On the court, Lillard, 26, just completed the best season of his five-year career. He posted 27-point, 5.9-assist, 4.9-rebound averages and led the Blazers to the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, where they fell to the Golden State Warriors in four games.
Off the court, he's become known as one of the more approachable, accessible stars in the league, both with members of the media and fans.
“It comes with the job,’’ Lillard said recently, per CSN Northwest. “There will come a day when people won’t want my autograph … and there will come a day when the media doesn’t care what I have to say. So I think you have to appreciate it, and that’s what I try to do. I don’t take either for granted.’’
In addition to Lillard, finalists for the award were DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Draymond Green and Paul Millsap.
Past winners of the award are listed below.
- 2000-01: Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
- 2001-02: Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers
- 2002-03: Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls
- 2003-04: Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana Pacers
- 2004-05: Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards
- 2005-06: Grant Hill, Orlando Magic
- 2006-07: Shane Battier, Houston Rockets
- 2007-08: Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers
- 2008-09: Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
- 2009-10: Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
- 2010-11: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2011-12: Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
- 2012-13: Shane Battier, Miami Heat
- 2013-14: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
- 2014-15: Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
- 2015-16: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors